Home : Privacy & Technology

Governor Errs In Proposing Massive Expansion of DNA Databank, NYCLU Charges (05/14/2007)
NEW YORK - The New York Civil Liberties Union today sharply criticized Governor Eliot Spitzer's proposal to include in the state's databank DNA samples from nearly every person convicted of a crime, including offenses involving low-level, non-contact crimes.

ACLU of Massachusetts Praises Decision to Cancel Lunch Bytes Program (04/19/2007)
BOSTON - Today the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts praised the decision by the Taunton School Committee to cancel plans for its controversial "Lunch Bytes" program, which would have used fingerprint scans to identify students in the lunch line.

Washington Governor Signs Bill Rejecting REAL ID (04/18/2007)
SEATTLE, WA - As part of a growing state rebellion, Gov. Christine Gregoire today signed a bill rejecting REAL ID, a new federal identification system that would create a de facto national ID card. Legislatures in four other states – Maine, Idaho, Arkansas and Montana – also have adopted measures opposing REAL ID, and lawmakers in more than 20 other states are considering similar action.

Washington Becomes Fourth State to Oppose REAL ID (04/05/2007)
OLYMPIA, WA - The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington today announced that the state legislature passed a bill in a landslide to block implementation of the federal REAL ID Act. The action makes Washington the fourth state to pass legislation opposing the law, joining Maine, Idaho and Arkansas.

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.