Source: http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:18%20section:2703%20edition:prelim)
Timestamp: 2018-07-21 06:00:38
Document Index: 230719158

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2703', '§201', '§7038', '§330003', '§207', '§804', '§601', '§605', '§8', '§209', '§4005', '§11010', '§225', '§1171', '§2', '§5228', '§103', '§5228', '§5542', '§4005', '§212', '§210', '§207', '§7038', '§103']

[USC04] 18 USC 2703: Required disclosure of customer communications or records
Current 2012 Ed. and Supplement V [Titles 1 through 41](1/12/2018) 2012 Ed. and Supplement IV (1/6/2017) 2012 Ed. and Supplement III (1/3/2016) 2012 Ed. and Supplement II (1/5/2015) 2012 Ed. and Supplement I (1/16/2014) 2012 Main Ed. (1/15/2013) 2006 Ed. and Supplement V (1/3/2012) 2006 Ed. and Supplement IV (1/7/2011) 2006 Ed. and Supplement III (2/1/2010) 2006 Ed. and Supplement II (1/5/2009) 2006 Ed. and Supplement I (1/8/2008) 2006 Main Ed. (1/3/2007) 2000 Ed. and Supplement V (1/2/2006) 2000 Ed. and Supplement IV (1/3/2005) 2000 Ed. and Supplement III (1/19/2004) 2000 Ed. and Supplement II (1/6/2003) 2000 Ed. and Supplement I (1/22/2002) 2000 Main Ed. (1/2/2001) 1994 Ed. and Supplement V (1/23/2000) 1994 Ed. and Supplement IV (1/5/1999) 1994 Ed. and Supplement III (1/26/1998) 1994 Ed. and Supplement II (1/6/1997) 1994 Ed. and Supplement I (1/16/1996) 1994 Main Ed. (1/4/1995)
<< Previous TITLE 18 / PART I / CHAPTER 121 / § 2703 Next >>
18 USC 2703: Required disclosure of customer communications or records Text contains those laws in effect on July 20, 2018
From Title 18-CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDUREPART I-CRIMESCHAPTER 121-STORED WIRE AND ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSACTIONAL RECORDS ACCESS
Jump To: Source CreditFuture AmendmentsReferences In TextAmendmentsEffective DateConstruction
(a) Contents of Wire or Electronic Communications in Electronic Storage.-A governmental entity may require the disclosure by a provider of electronic communication service of the contents of a wire or electronic communication, that is in electronic storage in an electronic communications system for one hundred and eighty days or less, only pursuant to a warrant issued using the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (or, in the case of a State court, issued using State warrant procedures) by a court of competent jurisdiction. A governmental entity may require the disclosure by a provider of electronic communications services of the contents of a wire or electronic communication that has been in electronic storage in an electronic communications system for more than one hundred and eighty days by the means available under subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Contents of Wire or Electronic Communications in a Remote Computing Service.-(1) A governmental entity may require a provider of remote computing service to disclose the contents of any wire or electronic communication to which this paragraph is made applicable by paragraph (2) of this subsection-
(A) without required notice to the subscriber or customer, if the governmental entity obtains a warrant issued using the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (or, in the case of a State court, issued using State warrant procedures) by a court of competent jurisdiction; or
(B) with prior notice from the governmental entity to the subscriber or customer if the governmental entity-
(2) Paragraph (1) is applicable with respect to any wire or electronic communication that is held or maintained on that service-
(c) Records Concerning Electronic Communication Service or Remote Computing Service.-(1) A governmental entity may require a provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service to disclose a record or other information pertaining to a subscriber to or customer of such service (not including the contents of communications) only when the governmental entity-
(A) obtains a warrant issued using the procedures described in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure (or, in the case of a State court, issued using State warrant procedures) by a court of competent jurisdiction;
(2) A provider of electronic communication service or remote computing service shall disclose to a governmental entity the-
(d) Requirements for Court Order.-A court order for disclosure under subsection (b) or (c) may be issued by any court that is a court of competent jurisdiction and shall issue only if the governmental entity offers specific and articulable facts showing that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the contents of a wire or electronic communication, or the records or other information sought, are relevant and material to an ongoing criminal investigation. In the case of a State governmental authority, such a court order shall not issue if prohibited by the law of such State. A court issuing an order pursuant to this section, on a motion made promptly by the service provider, may quash or modify such order, if the information or records requested are unusually voluminous in nature or compliance with such order otherwise would cause an undue burden on such provider.
(e) No Cause of Action Against a Provider Disclosing Information Under This Chapter.-No cause of action shall lie in any court against any provider of wire or electronic communication service, its officers, employees, agents, or other specified persons for providing information, facilities, or assistance in accordance with the terms of a court order, warrant, subpoena, statutory authorization, or certification under this chapter.
(f) Requirement To Preserve Evidence.-
(1) In general.-A provider of wire or electronic communication services or a remote computing service, upon the request of a governmental entity, shall take all necessary steps to preserve records and other evidence in its possession pending the issuance of a court order or other process.
(2) Period of retention.-Records referred to in paragraph (1) shall be retained for a period of 90 days, which shall be extended for an additional 90-day period upon a renewed request by the governmental entity.
(g) Presence of Officer Not Required.-Notwithstanding section 3105 of this title, the presence of an officer shall not be required for service or execution of a search warrant issued in accordance with this chapter requiring disclosure by a provider of electronic communications service or remote computing service of the contents of communications or records or other information pertaining to a subscriber to or customer of such service.
(h) Comity Analysis and Disclosure of Information Regarding Legal Process Seeking Contents of Wire or Electronic Communication.-
(1) Definitions.-In this subsection-
(A) the term "qualifying foreign government" means a foreign government-
(2) Motions to quash or modify.-(A) A provider of electronic communication service to the public or remote computing service, including a foreign electronic communication service or remote computing service, that is being required to disclose pursuant to legal process issued under this section the contents of a wire or electronic communication of a subscriber or customer, may file a motion to modify or quash the legal process where the provider reasonably believes-
(B) Upon receipt of a motion filed pursuant to subparagraph (A), the court shall afford the governmental entity that applied for or issued the legal process under this section the opportunity to respond. The court may modify or quash the legal process, as appropriate, only if the court finds that-
(3) Comity analysis.-For purposes of making a determination under paragraph (2)(B)(ii), the court shall take into account, as appropriate-
(4) Disclosure obligations during pendency of challenge.-A service provider shall preserve, but not be obligated to produce, information sought during the pendency of a motion brought under this subsection, unless the court finds that immediate production is necessary to prevent an adverse result identified in section 2705(a)(2).
(5) Disclosure to qualifying foreign government.-(A) It shall not constitute a violation of a protective order issued under section 2705 for a provider of electronic communication service to the public or remote computing service to disclose to the entity within a qualifying foreign government, designated in an executive agreement under section 2523, the fact of the existence of legal process issued under this section seeking the contents of a wire or electronic communication of a customer or subscriber who is a national or resident of the qualifying foreign government.
(Added Pub. L. 99–508, title II, §201[(a)], Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1861 ; amended Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, §§7038, 7039, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4399 ; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330003(b), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2140 ; Pub. L. 103–414, title II, §207(a), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4292 ; Pub. L. 104–132, title VIII, §804, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1305 ; Pub. L. 104–293, title VI, §601(b), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3469 ; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §605(f), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3510 ; Pub. L. 105–184, §8, June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 522 ; Pub. L. 107–56, title II, §§209(2), 210, 212(b)(1), 220(a)(1), (b), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 283 , 285, 291, 292; Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title IV, §4005(a)(2), div. C, title I, §11010, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1812 , 1822; Pub. L. 107–296, title II, §225(h)(1), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2158 ; Pub. L. 109–162, title XI, §1171(a)(1), Jan. 5, 2006, 119 Stat. 3123 ; Pub. L. 111–79, §2(1), Oct. 19, 2009, 123 Stat. 2086 ; Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LVII, §5228(b)(1), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2912 ; Pub. L. 115–141, div. V, §103(b), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1214 .)
Amendment of Subsections (a), (b)(1)(A), and (c)(1)(A)
Pub. L. 114–328, div. E, title LVII, §5228(b)(1), title LXIII, §5542, Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2912 , 2967, provided that, effective on the date designated by the President, not later than the first day of the first calendar month beginning two years after Dec. 23, 2016, with implementing regulations prescribed by the President not later than one year after Dec. 23, 2016, and with provisions relating to applicability to various situations, this section is amended-
(1) in the first sentence of subsection (a);
(2) in subsection (b)(1)(A); and
(3) in subsection (c)(1)(A);
by inserting after "warrant procedures" the following: "and, in the case of a court-martial or other proceeding under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice), issued under section 846 of that title, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the President". See 2016 Amendment note below.
2018-Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 115–141 added subsec. (h).
2016-Subsecs. (a), (b)(1)(A), (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 114–328 inserted "and, in the case of a court-martial or other proceeding under chapter 47 of title 10 (the Uniform Code of Military Justice), issued under section 846 of that title, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the President" after "warrant procedures".
2009-Subsecs. (a), (b)(1)(A), (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 111–79, which directed substitution of "(or, in the case of a State court, issued using State warrant procedures) by a court of competent jurisdiction" for "by a court with jurisdiction over the offense under investigation or an equivalent State warrant", was executed by making the substitution for "by a court with jurisdiction over the offense under investigation or equivalent State warrant" to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
2006-Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 109–162 struck out "or" at end.
2002-Subsec. (c)(1)(E). Pub. L. 107–273, §4005(a)(2), realigned margins.
2001-Pub. L. 107–56, §212(b)(1)(A), substituted "Required disclosure of customer communications or records" for "Requirements for governmental access" in section catchline.
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 107–56, §210, amended par. (2), as redesignated by section 212 of Pub. L. 107–56, by substituting "entity the-" for "entity the name, address, local and long distance telephone toll billing records, telephone number or other subscriber number or identity, and length of service of a subscriber" in introductory provisions, inserting subpars. (A) to (F), striking out "and the types of services the subscriber or customer utilized," before "when the governmental entity uses an administrative subpoena", inserting "of a subscriber" at beginning of concluding provisions and designating "to or customer of such service when the governmental entity uses an administrative subpoena authorized by a Federal or State statute or a Federal or State grand jury or trial subpoena or any means available under paragraph (1)." as remainder of concluding provisions.
1998-Subsec. (c)(1)(B)(iv). Pub. L. 105–184 added cl. (iv).
1996-Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 104–293 inserted "local and long distance" after "address,".
1994-Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 103–414, §207(a)(1)(A), redesignated cls. (ii) to (iv) as (i) to (iii), respectively, and struck out former cl. (i) which read as follows: "uses an administrative subpoena authorized by a Federal or State statute, or a Federal or State grand jury or trial subpoena;".
1988-Subsecs. (b)(1)(B)(i), (c)(1)(B)(i). Pub. L. 100–690, §7038, inserted "or trial" after "grand jury".
Amendment by Pub. L. 114–328 effective on the date designated by the President, not later than the first day of the first calendar month beginning two years after Dec. 23, 2016, with implementing regulations prescribed by the President not later than one year after Dec. 23, 2016, and with provisions relating to applicability to various situations, see section 5542 of Pub. L. 114–328, set out as a note under section 801 of Title 10, Armed Forces.
Pub. L. 115–141, div. V, §103(c), Mar. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 1216 , provided that: "Nothing in this section [enacting section 2713 of this title and amending this section], or an amendment made by this section, shall be construed to modify or otherwise affect the common law standards governing the availability or application of comity analysis to other types of compulsory process or to instances of compulsory process issued under section 2703 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by this section, and not covered under subsection (h)(2) of such section 2703."