IBM today welcomed reintroduction of the LEADS Act, an important measure that would expand the scope and strength of privacy protections for individuals who store data in digital form.

Washington, D.C. — IBM today welcomed reintroduction of the Law Enforcement Access to Data Stored Abroad — or “LEADS” — Act with the following statement:

“IBM remains a firm supporter of the bipartisan LEADS Act, and commends the ongoing commitment of Senators Hatch, Coons and Heller to expanding the scope and strength of privacy protections for individuals who store data in digital form.

As we noted when this bill was first introduced, its passage would establish new privacy safeguards by tightening legal restrictions on the U.S. government’s ability to access the data of both U.S. and non-U.S. persons stored in foreign countries. It also would ensure that warrants for access to overseas data, and the access itself, comply with foreign laws.

The LEADS Act is a positive step towards modernizing legal privacy protections for an age when data is rapidly transforming business and society, and our team will be working hard to secure passage of this important legislation in the 114th Congress.”

– Christopher A. Padilla, Vice President, IBM Government and Regulatory Affairs

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Download the statement (201KB)

Media Contact:
Adam R. Pratt
(202) 551-9625
arpratt@us.ibm.com