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Should 70s Wiretap Law Apply To 2015 Cell Phones?

Wiretapping
Morten Nisker Toppenberg/Flickr

Phone technology has changed dramatically but apparently the laws that apply to that technology haven't.

Nevada’s wiretap law has been on the books since before wireless devices came into daily use.

But a three-justice state Supreme Court panel just ruled that the 1973 law also applies in 2015 to wireless devices like cell phones.

This means under the old law, police can seek and obtain court warrants for cell phone calls and texts.

Not everyone agrees with that decision, including Amy Rose, Legal Director for ACLU Nevada.

Amy Rose, legal director, ACLU Nevada

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Nikole Robinson Carroll is KNPR's Morning Edition host. You can hear her every morning from 5am until 10am on News 889. She also produces segments for KNPR's State of Nevada.