Landmark digital privacy law signed in California

California, home to many giant tech companies, has passed a new digital privacy law which is set to become ‘a model’ for other privacy laws. The California Electronic Communications Privacy Act (CalECPA, SB 178) bars any state law enforcement agency or other investigative entity from compelling a business to turn over any metadata or digital communications (including cloud services) without a warrant. A warrant is also needed to track the location of electronic devices like mobile phones, or to search them. CalECPA has been described as ‘a landmark victory for digital privacy’ (ACLU), ‘a significant milestone’ (EFF), and ‘the nation’s best digital privacy law’ (Wired), and was supported by leading tech companies and organisations.