The involvement of technology giants Google and Microsoft as “amici curiae” further emphasized the significance of the case.
They informed the court that New Jersey was the only state where warrants were used instead of wiretap orders to obtain personal communications. Other states typically rely on wiretap orders, which necessitate more substantial grounds and the failure of alternative investigative methods.
Privacy advocates celebrated the court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of heightened protections for private conversations.
Jennifer Granick, a surveillance and cybersecurity counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, lauded the ruling, stating, “It’s great to see the New Jersey Supreme Court make clear that whenever the government seeks ongoing access to our private conversations, it must meet the heightened protections required under state law and the federal and state constitutions.”
