The Supreme Court of the United States has begun hearing oral arguments in what legal experts are calling the most consequential digital privacy case of the decade. The case examines whether law enforcement agencies require a federal warrant to access location data generated by smart home devices.
Justices heavily questioned both sides regarding the interpretation of the Fourth Amendment in the era of the “Internet of Things.” Privacy advocates argue that the home remains a sanctuary, and data collected by smart thermostats and voice assistants should be strictly protected.
A ruling is expected by late June. The decision could radically alter how tech companies store consumer data and how federal authorities conduct modern criminal investigations.
