Outlier Inc. hosts client accounts in servers located in foreign countries. The U.S. government issues a warrant to obtain e-mails related to a drug case from one of those accounts. Outlier refuses to comply. On the government's appeal, it is most likely that a court will
A) order the owner of the account to "stand and deliver."
B) order Outlier to comply with the warrant.
C) order the government to abide by Outlier's refusal.
D) order the foreign countries to seize Outlier's servers.

Question

Outlier Inc. hosts client accounts in servers located in foreign countries. The U.S. government issues a warrant to obtain e-mails related to a drug case from one of those accounts. Outlier refuses to comply. On the government's appeal, it is most likely that a court will
A) ​order the owner of the account to "stand and deliver."
B) ​order Outlier to comply with the warrant.
C) ​order the government to abide by Outlier's refusal.
D) ​order the foreign countries to seize Outlier's servers.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Outlier Inc. is subject to U.S. law and must comply with a validly issued warrant. The fact that the servers are located in foreign countries does not exempt Outlier from complying with the warrant. Additionally, courts have generally held that warrants apply to digital communications regardless of the location of the provider or the data.