With Cloud Act in Place, Supreme Court Dismisses Microsoft Case

The Supreme Court dismissed U.S. v. Microsoft as moot, given the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act (see 1804030057). The Cloud Act allowed DOJ to obtain a new search warrant in a case with data access implications abroad. The case is moot given the original warrant in question was superseded, Justice Samuel Alito said, announcing the decision Tuesday. Software & Information Industry Association Senior Vice President-Public Policy Mark MacCarthy applauded the decision, saying with the law, the U.S. has “an updated legal framework that enhances law enforcement access to critical data for investigations, provides for law enforcement cooperation between the United States and our allies, and establishes strong human rights protections.”