The U.S. Postal Service has been sharing information from Americans’ letters and packages with law enforcement agencies for over a decade, all without requiring a court order. This revelation has sparked a significant debate over privacy and surveillance in America.
The practice, known as the “mail covers” program, involves postal inspectors recording the information visible on the outside of mail items—names, addresses, and other details—without opening them. While this practice has been legally authorized since 1879, its widespread use has come under scrutiny.
A decade’s worth of records, provided to The Washington Post in response to a congressional probe, revealed that the Postal Service approved more than 60,000 requests from federal agents and police officers since 2015. These requests covered thousands of letters and packages, with 97% of them being approved. Between 2015 and 2023, postal inspectors recorded data from over 312,000 pieces of mail.
Postal inspectors claim that the mail covers program is essential for tracking down suspects and investigating crimes. They argue that only the information visible on the outside of mail is shared, which does not violate the Fourth Amendment, as opening mail would require a warrant. Gary Barksdale, the chief postal inspector, emphasized that the program is not a “large-scale surveillance apparatus” but a targeted tool to help law enforcement agencies carry out their missions and protect the public. Despite this, concerns remain about the lack of judicial oversight and the potential for abuse.
In May 2023, a group of senators, including Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), called for stricter regulations. They urged the Postal Service to require federal judges to approve requests for mail monitoring and to provide more transparency about the program. In response, Barksdale provided nearly a decade’s worth of data but refused to change the policy.
Senator Wyden expressed concern over the widespread nature of the surveillance, stating, “These new statistics show that thousands of Americans are subjected to warrantless surveillance each year, and that the Postal Inspection Service rubber stamps practically all of the requests they receive.”
Anxieties over postal surveillance are deeply rooted in American history. In 1798, Vice President Thomas Jefferson expressed fears of his private communications being exposed due to the “infidelities of the post office.” This historical context underscores the ongoing tension between privacy and security.
Even the exterior of mail can reveal significant personal information—about correspondences, bills, affiliations, and social causes—leading to concerns about the privacy implications of the mail covers program. A 1978 court ruling highlighted that such surveillance could expose a person’s life in ways that even physical surveillance could not.
The debate over the Postal Service’s mail covers program raises important questions about the balance between security and privacy. While law enforcement agencies see it as a necessary tool for maintaining safety, critics argue it represents a troubling overreach into the private lives of Americans. As discussions continue, the need for transparency and judicial oversight remains a crucial point of contention.