Legal Access
& Your Rights.

There are multiple legal tools the government can use to compel access to your data, communications, and records. Most of them require far less than you think — some require nothing at all. This guide explains each tool, what it can reach, and what it can't.

• 01Warrants: what the government must show to get one, what it covers, and what you can and can't challenge
• 02Subpoenas: why they require far less than a warrant — and what your provider hands over without telling you
• 03National Security Letters: the administrative demand that comes with a built-in gag order, no judge required
• 04The FISA court: secret proceedings, rubber stamps, and what it can authorize against U.S. persons
• 05Section 702: the surveillance authority that lets the NSA collect communications of Americans without individual warrants
• 06What your phone carrier, cloud storage, and email provider can be compelled to hand over — and when they notify you
• 07The Carpenter ruling and its limits: what requires a warrant now and what still doesn't
• 08What to do if you receive a legal process demand: how to respond, when to call a lawyer, and what rights you have