Scanlon Introduces Legislation to Prevent the Postal Inspection Service from Conducting Mass Surveillance

Scanlon Introduces Legislation to Prevent the Postal Inspection Service from Conducting Mass Surveillance

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today announced the introduction of the Postal Data Privacy Act, legislation that requires law enforcement to obtain a court order to legally access certain postal information through the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).

Current law states that law enforcement agencies can request a "mail cover" investigation from USPIS without a stated reason, and if approved, postal workers can record information on the exterior of letters and parcels before delivery and provide it to the requesting law enforcement agency. This information can include an individual's bank, subscribed publications, and even political and religious affiliations that can be used in a court of law and stored for up to 8 years.

"Millions of Americans rely on the U.S. Postal Service to handle personal information like tax documents, medications, and mail-in ballots," said Rep. Scanlon. "It is vital that unregulated surveillance powers be reined in to further prevent this administration's weaponization of federal agencies. The American people deserve to know that their First and Fourth Amendment rights remain protected."

Following the Trump Administration's order to divert USPIS resources to assisting with aggressive deportation efforts by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Rep. Scanlon led 44 of her House colleagues in condemning these actions.

The Postal Data Privacy Act would impose a court-order requirement on any mail-cover investigation, require law enforcement to show that mail covers are relevant to an ongoing investigation, and limit the amount of time law enforcement may retain mail cover records from 8 years to 180 days.

The bill is endorsed by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Find the full bill text here.

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