The California Supreme Court heard a case this week on the degree of privacy public employees can expect in using personal cell phones or e-mail account to conduct official business. San Jose is contesting the application of the California Public Records Act to “unofficial” communications. (Courthouse News Service, December 7, 2016, by Maria Dinzeo)
The San Jose case originated with a request from resident Ted Smith who filed a public records request seeking official e-mails related to a downtown development project. The city rejected the request on the grounds that the e-mails were sent through personal accounts. A number of open government groups are arguing that transparency in government is crucial in a democracy and that citizens should not be shut out just because the records are digital. It is possible to make guidelines that protect privacy and allow public access to official transactions. (American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California, August 11, 2015, by Matt Cagle)