United States of America: Surveillance Accountability Act (HR 8470) was introduced to House of Representatives

On 23 April 2026, 2 members of the United States House of Representatives introduced the Surveillance Accountability Act (H.R. 8470). The Bill would require government entities to obtain a warrant from a magistrate upon probable cause before conducting any search that significantly impinges on a person's privacy or security. Third-party data held by financial services providers, telecommunication service providers, internet service providers, cloud storage companies and data brokers would be subject to the same warrant requirement, irrespective of whether the third party consents or cooperates. Contractual agreements between a user and a third party would not waive this requirement unless the waiver is explicit and voluntary. Permitted warrantless searches would include observation of evidence in plain view, verification of government-issued identification documents, collection of lawfully published or publicly available information, consent-based searches and searches under exigent circumstances. A private right of action for deprivation of Fourth Amendment rights by any person acting under colour of federal law would also be established, including the award of reasonable attorney's fees to a prevailing party.