From 1986 to 1987 the Internet Protocol became a standard operating procedure on PCs and the number of networks increased from 2,000 to 30,000. Given how far the Internet has come since that time, it might be surprising to find that the most recent law requiring privacy standards for electronic communications is also from 1986.
With that in mind, several of the largest technology and Internet companies have joined forces with conservative and liberal organizations in a show of solidarity for a proposed amendment to the 1986 Electronic Communications Privacy Act. In a July 12 letter to the Senate, technology and Internet companies such as Microsoft, Oracle, Intel, Adobe, Facebook, Twitter, Google and Yahoo urged passage of the amendment, which would modernize the ECPA and increase the level of protection given to emails and electronic communications from the government.
