Contact Congress about H.R. 4639: Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act
Federal police and intelligence agencies could not buy many personal digital records from data brokers. They would often need a court order instead. Data gathered in violation of the bill could not be used in court or similar proceedings.
Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act is a House bill in Congress.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects federal police, intelligence agencies, data brokers, tech companies, telecom companies, and people whose digital records may be sold or shared. Agencies would have fewer ways to get sensitive data without a judge. Companies that hold or move digital records would face clearer limits on when they can give that data to the government.
Why this matters: This bill matters because private companies collect detailed records about people’s lives, and the government may be able to buy some of that data without the usual court review. The bill would push agencies toward court-approved processes for more sensitive digital records. It could strengthen privacy protections, but it could also make some investigations slower or harder.
Key provisions in H.R. 4639
- Federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies could not buy many covered customer or subscriber records. The same ban applies when they offer anything else of value, not just money.
- The bill covers records about people in the United States and U.S. persons abroad. It includes account details, message content, and location information, but excludes some public data, public government records, background-check data, and automated license plate reader data.
- Other government agencies could not buy covered records and pass them to police or intelligence agencies. The same rule applies to data that was improperly obtained.
- Courts and official proceedings could not use data gathered in violation of the bill. They also could not use evidence that came from that data.
- The Attorney General would have to set rules to limit the collection, storage, and sharing of banned data. Federal agencies would have to follow those rules.
How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 4639
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Questions people ask about H.R. 4639
- What is H.R. 4639?
- Federal police and intelligence agencies could not buy many personal digital records from data brokers. They would often need a court order instead. Data gathered in violation of the bill could not be used in court or similar proceedings.
- How do I support or oppose H.R. 4639?
- Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.
- Who should I contact about H.R. 4639?
- Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.
- Can Modern Action explain H.R. 4639 before I act?
- Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.
