Home : Privacy & Technology

ACLU, JACL and ADC Alarmed that Census Violated Privacy in World War II, Urges Congress to Ensure Similar Actions Are Not Happening Now (03/30/2007)
WASHINGTON - Following reports in USA Today that the Census Bureau gave American surveillance agencies information on persons of Japanese Ancestry during World War II, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) urged Congress to investigate and ensure that such practices do not occur today.

NYCLU Critical of City Council's Move to Mandate Nightclub Surveillance Cameras Without Necessary Privacy Protections (02/28/2007)
NEW YORK - The New York Civil Liberties Union condemned legislation passed by the New York City Council today requiring nightclubs to install video surveillance cameras without implementing adequate privacy protections to prevent those cameras' abuse.

ACLU Condemns Bill Eliminating Online Privacy (02/13/2007)
Washington - The American Civil Liberties Union today condemned a bill introduced by Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX), that seeks to eliminate online privacy by requiring Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to maintain detailed records on each of their subscribers’ online activities. The bill would give Attorney General Alberto Gonzales broad discretion to determine what records ISPs must keep and for how long. In addition, it would require “sexually explicit” websites to post warning labels or face criminal sanctions.

ACLU Alarmed At Justice Department Move to Collect DNA, Violates Privacy Rights and Causes Further Delays in Overwhelmed System (02/05/2007)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union criticized the Justice Department’s move to collect DNA samples of individuals who are arrested or detained by federal authorities - even if they are not convicted, or charged with a crime. That collection was authorized in an amendment authored by Senators Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and John Cornyn (R-TX) to the Violence Against Women Act in 2005.

ACLU of Maryland and Green Party Challenge State Subpoena of Civil Rights Lawyer's Computer and Personnel Records (01/29/2007)
BALTIMORE, MD - Contending that a government subpoena demanding production of a civil rights lawyer's computer hard drive and personnel records violates principles of privacy and attorney-client privilege, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland has appealed to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals to quash the subpoena.

ACLU of New Mexico Joins Legislative Opposition To Real ID Act (01/23/2007)
ALBUQUERQUE - The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and organizations from both sides of the political spectrum today joined state legislators in opposition to the creation of a national identification card and the implementation of the federal Real ID Act of 2005 in New Mexico.

ACLU Raises Privacy Concerns Over Rhode Island's Proposed Regulations for Gaming Licenses (01/22/2007)
PROVIDENCE, RI - The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island today raised significant privacy concerns over proposed regulations that would force many employees of local gaming centers to turn over personal financial information to a state agency. National privacy expert Robert Ellis Smith will testify at a Department of Business Regulation hearing tomorrow on behalf of the ACLU to argue, among other things, that the proposed intrusion on the privacy of employees will likely be of little use to the state, but could be a magnet for identity thieves.

ACLU Raises Objections Over Expanded Military and CIA Domestic Spying (01/14/2007)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today expressed serious concerns about the use of "National Security Letters" by the Department of Defense and the CIA to collect the financial records of American citizens and called on Congress to launch an immediate investigation.

ACLU Lauds Senate Hearing on Government Breaches of Privacy, Says Much-Needed Oversight Long Overdue (01/10/2007)
WASHINGTON – The American Civil Liberties Union applauded a key Senate panel today for examining government data-mining programs, such as the Department of Homeland Security’s Automated Tracking System (ATS). The hearing was held this morning under the leadership of the new Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT).

Georgia School Board Drops Defense of Anti-Evolution Stickers (12/19/2006)
ATLANTA - The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia announced today that it has reached an agreement with the Cobb County School Board to keep controversial “Evolution Disclaimer” stickers out of biology textbooks in public schools, ending a legal challenge that began in 2002.

NYCLU Report Documents Rapid Proliferation of Video Surveillance Cameras (12/14/2006)
NEW YORK - New York City is creating a massive video surveillance infrastructure, according to a New York Civil Liberties Union report released today. The proliferation of video surveillance cameras without legal or regulatory constraints has profound implications for basic rights and liberties, said the NYCLU.

ACLU Seeks Information on Government Ratings of Travelers (12/13/2006)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking information about the Department of Homeland Security’s Automated Targeting System (ATS) terror-ranking program and renewed its call to Congress for the program to be shut down.