Legislation enacted in Illinois regulates the access and use of a private household’s electronic data by law enforcement. The Protecting Household Privacy Act, effective Aug. 27, states a law enforcement agency cannot obtain electronic communication from devices within a household without a court order based on probable cause or unless voluntarily provided by the homeowner. Data may be retained if it is suspected evidence of criminal activity or relevant to an ongoing case, otherwise it will be destroyed within 30 days.
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