Texas is first state to require probable cause and search warrant to spy on emails

On June 14 Governor Perry signed HB 2268 which amended the law in Texas to add provisions clarifying that law enforcement must obtain a search warrant supported by probably cause before they can get access to a person's e-mail information. Texas Legislature Online gives authorship credit to Representatives John Frullo of Lubbock, Senfronia Thompson of Houston, and Allen Fletcher of Cypress. Read the Texas bill here-PDF.

Naked Security puts it this way: Texas becomes first US state to ban warrantless email snooping.

The feds are the ones who were recently embarrassed for email and phone snooping. All this state law does is restrict state law enforcement to a stricter standard. So the feds can thumb their noses at Texas law and keep on snooping if they want. But maybe the U.S. Congress will note the attention this is getting and decide to give citizens a little protection from an Executive branch that has proved so untrustworthy with the power it has over the people.