Court: Metadata in Citizen's E-Mail Is Public Record, Justifying Search of Official's Home Computer
Ruling on a case of first impression, the Washington Supreme Court today held that metadata in a citizen’s unsolicited e-mail sent to a public official on her home computer is a public record that must be disclosed upon request to another citizen, under state public records law.
The court also called for a search of the home computer of the City of Shoreline’s deputy mayor, to determine whether the e-mail—which she said she must have inadvertently deleted—could be found.
However, because the citizen requesting the e-mail didn’t make clear, in her oral request, that she wanted the electronic version including metadata about the e-mail’s sender and recipients, no attorney’s fees should be awarded, the court said in its written opinion today.
A dissenting opinion argues that searching the deputy mayor’s home computer is an unjustified invasion of her privacy.
Hat tip: Associated Press.
