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HR 6588 110th Congress House Law Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Computers Crime and Law Enforcement Customs administration Electronics Evidence (Law) Foreign Trade and International Finance Right of privacy Science, Technology, Communications Searches and seizures Wireless communication

Electronic Device Privacy Act of 2008

Introduced: July 23, 2008 Introduced by: Lofgren, Zoe Democratic · California See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 110th Congress ended
It never became law before the 110th Congress (2007–2008) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 23, 2008
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jul 23, 2008
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Electronic Device Privacy Act of 2008 - Prohibits any person acting under U.S. authority, derived from a sovereign's power to search at its border, from searching the electronic contents of a laptop computer or other similar device of a person entering the United States. Allows searches based on lawful authority other than a sovereign's power to search at its border. Defines "laptop computer or other similar device" to include any electronic device normally used for electronic mail or messaging or for storing electronic data.

What's happening now July 23, 2008

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 6702 Related bill Securing Our Borders and Our Data Act of 2008
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 6588: Electronic Device Privacy Act of 2008. 110th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6588/
MLA
"H.R. 6588: Electronic Device Privacy Act of 2008." 110th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6588/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 6588, 110th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6588/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 6588: Electronic Device Privacy Act of 2008](https://openamerica.io/bill/110-HR-6588/)
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