Beyond a Physical Conception of the Fourth Amendment: Search and Seizure in the Digital Age

January 26th, 2007
http://stlr.stanford.edu/symposium.html
Stanford Law School

Technological change increasingly complicates criminal investigation: third-party Internet service providers, not individuals, store sensitive user information such as e-mail, while global positioning satellites allow the government to track private
citizens' movements and thermal imaging technology permits law enforcement to monitor activity inside the home. Recent high-profile legal cases have involved government
requests for user identification and content from technological giants such as Apple and Google, bypassing the users themselves. These issues are exemplified by the current political controversy over NSA surveillance and the need for judicial oversight. In short, a physical conception of privacy may no longer be adequate when technology allows the tracking of new kinds of personal information that is accessible in entirely new ways.

Current scholarship continues to play an essential role in expanding the legal thinking on the 4th Amendment in ways that can keep pace with this dizzying technological progress. The Stanford Center for Internet and Society, Stanford Criminal Justice Center and Stanford Technology Law Review have invited scholars and practitioners from around the country to participate in a Symposium this January on
the future of the 4th Amendment in this digital age.

Hear what the experts have to say, and let them know your opinions, through our symposium: Beyond a Physical Conception of the Fourth Amendment: Search and Seizure in the Digital Age. Top technology and privacy experts from across the country will argue about the Internet, criminal procedure, RFID, and the Constitution.

Best of all, you can participate! Five authors' drafts will appear on the symposium website for commenting before (and after) the live event. Read, respond, and be heard in the live discussion!