New Jersey high court rules subpoena needed to obtain Internet user records
- United States
- 04/22/2008
The New Jersey Supreme Court Monday ruled that Internet service providers may not turn over users’ personal information to police or other agencies unless they obtain a valid grand jury subpoena when the information sought relates to an indictable offense. The court held that the New Jersey constitution affords greater protections than the US Constitution against unreasonable searches and seizures.
The unanimous decision upheld a lower court’s ruling suppressing information obtained from Internet provider Comcast identifying a woman who changed access codes on her employer’s account with a supplier. The court found the municipal court subpoena for the data obtained by police inadequate because an indictable offense was at issue.
