Location data law fails to pass

A proposed US law that would have made it easier for law enforcement officials to obtain location data from smartphones during emergencies, such as abductions, has been defeated 229 votes to 158 in the US House of Representatives.

Known as the Kelsey Smith Act, named for a victim of crime who died because it took four days for police to get location data from her mobile phone network provider, the law would have required telcos to share location data.

“The time was now to act. The time was now to help families find abducted children and I’m disappointed my colleagues could not support this narrowly written bill,” said politician Greg Walden.

“We worked diligently to make this a bill that balanced privacy concerns with the importance of saving lives.”

The proposed law was modelled after the law in Oregon that passed unanimously.

“The majority of the House supported this measure, so I’m frustrated with my colleagues who voted against providing law enforcement with a critical tool to protect the public in urgent situations where every second counts,” said Walden.

“This bill respected the rights of the state and local legislatures to determine for themselves the appropriate procedures for law enforcement to protect their citizens’ privacy,” he added.

“I will continue to work to see this life-saving tool made available nationwide.”

Image courtesy US government.