Bill > A00407

This bill introduces the "Reverse Location and Reverse Keyword Search Prohibition Act," which aims to protect individuals' privacy by prohibiting government entities from obtaining or using certain types of digital surveillance data. Specifically, the bill bans "reverse location court orders" (which would reveal the identities of electronic device users in a specific geographic area at a specific time) and "reverse keyword court orders" (which would identify individuals who searched for particular words, phrases, or websites). The legislation prevents government entities from seeking such orders from courts, making voluntary requests for such information, or obtaining this data through third parties. If evidence is obtained through these prohibited methods, it must be suppressed in court. The bill also provides a private right of action, allowing individuals to sue government entities that violate these restrictions, with potential damages of $1,000 per violation or actual damages, whichever is greater. Punitive damages may be awarded based on factors like the number of people affected and whether the search targeted constitutionally protected activities. The law does not apply to physical searches of lawfully seized electronic devices and includes a severability clause to ensure that if one part of the law is found invalid, the rest remains in effect.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A407