As digital technologies continue to permeate every facet of modern life, cybersecurity and data privacy have emerged as defining legal challenges of the 21st century. From state-sponsored cyberattacks to private-sector data breaches and government surveillance, these issues demand a coherent and constitutionally grounded response. In the United States, however, the legal architecture addressing cybersecurity and data privacy remains fragmented. While various federal and state statutes address specific concerns, the constitutional foundations—particularly the Fourth Amendment—continue to serve as both a shield and a battleground in the digital era.
I. The Fourth Amendment and the Evolution of Privacy Rights
The Fourth Amendment provides that: