EPIC Alleges Google May Be Helping U.S. Government Conduct Warrantless Searches

One of the core underpinnings of U.S. society is that all individuals are protected from unlawful search and seize of their private property. This concept is enshrined in the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which specifically requires law enforcement officials to obtain a warrant from a court in order to conduct a search of any private property. For that reason, it’s especially troubling that Silicon Valley search giant Google may be involved in helping law enforcement officials evade this responsibility. In fact, according to the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Google is actually helping the U.S. government conduct warrantless searches.

In an amicus brief filed with the United States Supreme Court, EPIC suggested that Google might be actively helping law enforcement officials bypass the Fourth Amendment in order to conduct warrantless searches. From a civil liberties perspective, Google’s involvement is worrisome because it means that the right to avoid a “digital search” of one’s property is being violated. One would never allow a “physical search” of one’s property without a warrant, so why should a digital search by Google be allowed?

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