Arizona Lawmaker Hopes To Give Parents Access To Text Messages

An Arizona lawmaker is hoping to pass a bill that will allow parents to spy on their children’s text messages without access to their phones.

State Sen. Rich Crandall is hoping to pass a bill that will allows for each online access to mobile messaging services, providing carriers with the ability to store text from messages in their system.

According to Crandall:

“If I have a 13-year-old being harassed via text, I can’t call and get those texts. This bill will allow me to at least pay to see the text messages for my children.”

The bill passed in committee but must clear the full Senate before it can head to the House.

While the lawmaker would like the move to become law the wireless industry opposes the movie because it would violate federal privacy law. According to Verizon Wireless lobbyist John Kelly:

“There’s always the risk that complying with the state law may put the company in violation of federal law.”

Jamie Hastings, vice president of external and state affairs for CTIA-The Wireless Association also attacks the bill on the basis of Federal laws:

“SB 1219’s requirement that providers disclose the contents of communication to the parents of minors would conflict with federal law,” Hastings said. “Under federal law, electronic-communication service providers must obtain consent from the content originator, which would be the children, not their parents.”

One Republican lawmaker has spoken out against the bill, not because they oppose the idea of spying on teens but rather because they asked:

“Why don’t you take a flashlight and go in the closet and read the texts?”

Do you think the bill should be enacted or does it take away the privacy of teens?