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Congress·In Committee

New Bill Requires Large Tech Companies to Comply With Data Warrants Within 72 Hours

Evergreen Community Safety Act of 2026

24 days ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Key Points

  • This bill, introduced by Ms. Pettersen, requires large tech companies to hand over user data to law enforcement within 72 hours of receiving a court order or warrant. This is designed to speed up criminal investigations that rely on digital evidence like emails, private messages, or location history.
  • The rules apply to "covered providers," which are companies like social media platforms, email services, or cloud storage providers that have at least 1 million users. This means almost every major tech company Americans use daily would be subject to these strict new deadlines.
  • If a data request is massive or very complicated, a judge can grant the company an extra 7 days to comply. If the company believes the request is illegal and wants to challenge it, they must file their legal objection within 48 hours of receiving the warrant.
  • A major change in this bill allows regular people to sue tech companies for money if the company's delay in providing data causes them harm. This adds a new layer of accountability, as companies could face expensive lawsuits for missing their 72-hour deadline.
  • This policy addresses a common problem where law enforcement waits weeks or months for tech companies to process warrants. By setting a strict federal timeline, the bill aims to ensure that digital evidence is available while investigations are still fresh.
Technology DigitalCriminal Justice

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 9, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Feb 9, 2026

Introduced in House

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Evergreen Community Safety Act of 2026

Bill NumberHR 7445
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sponsor

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.