Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986

Established in 1986, this law amends the Federal criminal code to provide specific types of electronic communications that must be prohibited from unauthorized interception. Such types are any provider of wire or electronic communication services. It is also illegal to use or install a pen register or trap device without a court order.

Electronic communications privacy laws have changed since this law to include the internet, but it is interesting to see what one of the first electronic privacy laws were concerned about before the internet.

For a more detailed summary, go here.

Rep Robert W. Kastenmeier