Concerns pertaining to the security of data being transferred by E-mail have been addressed in the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) of 1986. It was designed to provide electronic mail systems with the same kind of protection that is offered to telephone calls. The ECPA is designed to protect E-mail both in transmission and in storage. The act makes it a federal crime to intercept and disclose electronic messages, similar to the wiretap statute that prohibits the interception of telephone calls. Although .
the ECPA protects all systems from interference by unauthorized users, the emphasis is on public service systems used by outside businesses, the general public, or message forwarding. .
Most E-mail systems today are internal and are not subject to the disclosure rules. However, managers are advised to inform their employees of their responsibilities and rights with regard to the confidentiality of messages sent on internal systems. The number of public service E-mail firms has grown considerably over the past few years, and the law protects customers by allowing them to sue any such firm that discloses a message without authorization. The act also specifies that law enforcement officials need a warrant, court order or subpoena to gain access to protected messages. The principles of ECPA are based on traditional American privacy standards, and electronic mail industry professionals should acquaint themselves with the law's specific provisions in order to comply with the letter of the act.
In the educational environment, striving for a more efficient grading system with less paper work, E-mail is an ideal way for students to turn in work and receive a quick response, while at the same time gain experience utilizing their computer.
Computer manufacturers of hardware and software continue researching new ways to make E-mail more enticing to use by interfacing it with voice mail and digitized imaging.
