Protecting Data at the Border Act

Summary

Protecting Data at the Border Act This bill limits government access to digital information at the border. A governmental entity may not (1) access the digital contents of electronic equipment of a U.S. person at the border without a warrant, (2) deny such a person's entry into or exit from the United States because the person refused to provide access to digital content on electronic equipment or online account information, (3) delay such a person's entry or exit for more than four hours to determine whether the person will consent to providing access to online information, or (4) seize electronic equipment from a U.S. person without probable cause to believe that such equipment contains information relevant to a felony. A governmental entity may access the contents of electronic equipment of a U.S. person without a warrant in an emergency. The entity must subsequently apply for a warrant within seven days, and if a warrant is not granted, the seized information must be destroyed and may not be disclosed. A governmental entity may not make or retain a copy of information accessed under this bill without probable cause to believe that such information relates to a crime. Information seized in violation of this bill (1) must be destroyed, (2) may not be disclosed, and (3) may not be received in evidence in any trial or government proceeding. A governmental entity shall keep a record of each instance in which it obtains access to an individual's digital information at the border.

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Timeline

1. 2 April 2025

   Introduced

   Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 2 April 2025

   Referred

   Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.

   Source: Committee

3. 2 April 2025

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

4. 2 April 2025

   Introduced

   Introduced in House

   Source: IntroReferral

Votes

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Versions

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Documents

2 official files

• Introduced in House

  Introduced in House · EN · 2 April 2025

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 2 April 2025

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Ted Lieu · D · Sponsor
• Donald Beyer · D · Sponsor
• Eleanor Norton · D · Sponsor
• Adriano Espaillat · D · Sponsor
• J. Correa · D · Cosponsor
• · hshm00 · Standing
• · hsju00 · Standing

Related records

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