The discussion in your link specifically says it does not apply to &quot;searches by persons acting on behalf of a city, state, or federal government.&quot;. It links to this discussion of  Fourth Amendment rights which seems more applicable to the case here:<p>* <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;criminal.findlaw.com&#x2F;criminal-rights&#x2F;when-the-fourth-amendment-applies.html" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;criminal.findlaw.com&#x2F;criminal-rights&#x2F;when-the-fourth-...</a><p>That page contains this quote:<p>&gt;The Supreme Court has explained that what &quot;a person knowingly exposes to the public, even in his own home or office, is not a subject of Fourth Amendment protection ... &quot; But what he seeks to preserve as private, even in an area accessible to the public, may be constitutionally protected (see Katz v. United States, 389 U.S. 347 [1967]).