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Utah law shields electronic device locations and communication content

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Utah enacted the first-ever legislation to regulate both government access to electronic devices' location information and electronic communications content last week.

Under the reforms, state and local law enforcement must obtain a search warrant to access electronic devices' location information and communications. Additionally, the government can only use, copy and disclose the information obtained when it's believed that data could provide legitimate evidence for a crime or provide insight on a warrant.

The law covers data stored and transmitted by electronic devices as well as their location information. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) interpreted these measures as protecting Utah residents from the use of stingray technology, as well as metadata collection.

This legislation marks the first time a state has passed a bill that covers both location and electronic communications data.

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