Stored Communications Act, provider and user authorization exceptions (18 U.S.C. 2701(c)(1)-(2))
Access authorised by the entity providing the service, or by a user for that user's own messages, is outside 2701(a). A company that provides its own email or chat system to staff can generally authorise access to messages stored on it; where the system is hosted (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Slack) the export runs through the company's administrator rights under the vendor contract, so those terms, and any vendor restriction on AI-training use of exports, need checking.
Dated 17 Oct 2026Source checked 17 Oct 2026Basis: primary text
In the source's own words
“(c) Exceptions. ... Subsection (a) of this section does not apply with respect to conduct authorized ... (1) by the person or entity providing a wire or electronic communications service; (2) by a user of that service with respect to a communication of or intended for that user;”
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