Pa. high court rules that police can access Google searches without a warrant
8 hours ago
- #legal
- #technology
- #privacy
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled police can access Google searches without a warrant.
- Court stated internet users have no reasonable expectation of privacy in searches due to data collection by websites and ISPs.
- Ruling may encourage more police departments to conduct warrantless searches for internet queries nationwide.
- Case involved a convicted rapist whose Google search for the victim's address led to his identification.
- Google's privacy policy explicitly mentions sharing search histories with third parties.
- Court noted users can avoid data exposure by using alternative methods for information searches.
- Legal expert warns ruling creates a 'chilling environment' and risks government access to personal thoughts via search queries.