Privacy in the digital age: How carpenter applied the fourth amendment to modern America
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Thomas Loikith
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 1:30 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 2:29 PM
Description
Technology influences every aspect of our daily lives. However, many are concerned about the privacy of sensitive data stored on their technological devices. Online platforms and databases are often accessed by law enforcement agencies to obtain sensitive information not otherwise available through more traditional investigative methods. The Supreme Court has been slow to adapt Fourth Amendment protections to modern society, largely following decades old jurisprudence allowing law enforcement to access online information without the need of a search warrant. Recent decisions by the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, however, have addressed privacy concerns about such information. Nonetheless, many unanswered questions remain regarding technology and Fourth Amendment rights. What should be done to balance the legitimate needs of law enforcement with privacy rights in information stored on technological devices? This is a complex problem that requires interdisciplinary analysis to arrive at a better understanding. Through the disciplines of law and privacy rights, I have analyzed relevant sources and found conflicting disciplinary insights. I then found common ground between those insights, integrating them to achieve a fuller understanding of the research problem. That better understanding has led to suggested resolutions to the problem. My research is not yet complete. However, I conclude that courts of competent jurisdiction should expand Fourth Amendment protections to all forms of sensitive personal data stored on technological devices. Moreover, the Executive and Legislative branches should enact appropriate legislation that embodies in a single, uniform act, protections of all forms of sensitive data stored on technological devices.
Privacy in the digital age: How carpenter applied the fourth amendment to modern America
Technology influences every aspect of our daily lives. However, many are concerned about the privacy of sensitive data stored on their technological devices. Online platforms and databases are often accessed by law enforcement agencies to obtain sensitive information not otherwise available through more traditional investigative methods. The Supreme Court has been slow to adapt Fourth Amendment protections to modern society, largely following decades old jurisprudence allowing law enforcement to access online information without the need of a search warrant. Recent decisions by the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, however, have addressed privacy concerns about such information. Nonetheless, many unanswered questions remain regarding technology and Fourth Amendment rights. What should be done to balance the legitimate needs of law enforcement with privacy rights in information stored on technological devices? This is a complex problem that requires interdisciplinary analysis to arrive at a better understanding. Through the disciplines of law and privacy rights, I have analyzed relevant sources and found conflicting disciplinary insights. I then found common ground between those insights, integrating them to achieve a fuller understanding of the research problem. That better understanding has led to suggested resolutions to the problem. My research is not yet complete. However, I conclude that courts of competent jurisdiction should expand Fourth Amendment protections to all forms of sensitive personal data stored on technological devices. Moreover, the Executive and Legislative branches should enact appropriate legislation that embodies in a single, uniform act, protections of all forms of sensitive data stored on technological devices.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.