United States of America: Passed Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act of 2023 (HR 4639) including data protection regulation

On 17 April 2024, the Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act was passed by the US House of Representatives. The Act aims to prevent the federal government from bypassing the Fourth Amendment's right to privacy to buy or acquire the data of American citizens from large technological companies. In particular, the Act would require government agencies to obtain a court order to require data brokers and technological and phone companies to disclose data. The Act would also prevent law enforcement and intelligence agencies from buying data through illegal means. Further, it would prevent the intelligence community from buying or otherwise acquiring metadata that would normally require a court order to compel. It would also extend existing privacy laws to firms that own data cables and cell towers. Finally, the Act would also remove the Attorney General's power to grant civil immunity to providers and third parties when assisting with surveillance.