U.S. Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Curb Administrative Subpoenas and Limit Phone Record Access
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · May 21
U.S. Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Curb Administrative Subpoenas and Limit Phone Record Access
2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · May 21
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation to make it harder for federal investigators to obtain phone records and to restrict use of administrative subpoenas.
The bill would require tighter limits on a tool critics say has been used secretly to target government opponents, and would narrow access to phone data without a judge’s order.
Lawmakers moved after a Washington Post investigation highlighted how administrative subpoenas could be weaponized against critics, adding pressure for new safeguards.
The proposal frames the issue as a civil-liberties and oversight fight over how far federal agencies can go when pursuing records without court approval.
Beyond new laws, how are tech companies redefining their role as guardians of user data against government demands?
Can a 19th-century legal tool be safely used in the digital age, or is it now inherently ripe for abuse?