Bill Would Let Parents Peek at Kids' Texts

Arizona lawmaker pushes for change
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 28, 2012 6:58 PM CST
Bill Would Let Parents Peek at Kids' Texts
   (Shutterstock)

An Arizona lawmaker wants to force cell phone companies to let parents read their kids' phone texts, reports the Arizona Republic. State Sen. Rich Crandall says his motive is safety, not snooping. "If I have a 13-year-old being harassed via text, I can't call and get those texts," he said. "This bill will allow me to at least pay to see the text messages for my children." He got it passed in committee, but it still must clear the full Senate before heading to the House.

That may not be easy. The wireless industry made clear it opposes the move, in part because such a measure might violate federal privacy law. And a fellow Republican lawmaker voted against it, not that her rationale will cheer up teens worried about prying eyes: "Why don't you take a flashlight and go in the closet and read the texts?" she asked. (More Arizona stories.)

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