American Civil Liberties Union

The Technology & Liberty Project monitors the interplay between cutting-edge technology and civil liberties, actively promoting responsible uses of technology that enhance privacy and freedom, while opposing those that undermine our freedoms and move us closer to a surveillance society.



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Privacy Technology : Workplace Privacy : Press Releases

New “Fusion Centers” Must Be Open, Carefully Monitored and Subject to Restraints, ACLU Says In New Report (12/12/2007)
WASHINGTON – New institutions now emerging in American life – “fusion centers” – are raising many questions about privacy and government openness and must be carefully bounded and monitored to ensure that they remain a legitimate and effective law enforcement tool, according to a new report released today by the American Civil Liberties Union.

ACLU to Participate in Privacy Day (05/17/2007)
Washington, DC - The American Civil Liberties Union will be participating in Privacy Day, an all-day event to take place during Washington Whistleblower Week. Privacy Day, Friday, May 18th, will be comprised of two panels on surveillance and a keynote address by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). Privacy Day’s first panel, arranged by the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), will focus on expectations of privacy in the workplace; the second will debate on the growing trend of a surveillance society.

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 and Allies Oppose Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, Say Plan Undermines Privacy, Provides Little Security (09/07/2006)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today joined with Citizen Against Government Waste and the Cato Institute to oppose the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The WHTI will require all travelers, including American citizens, to have a passport or other "appropriate security document" to enter or re-enter the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere, including Canada and Mexico.

ACLU Wins Challenge to North Carolina's Cohabitation Ban (07/20/2006)
BURGAW, NC - The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina today applauded a state court decision declaring the state's 201-year-old ban on cohabitation to be unconstitutional.

As Senate Immigration Bill Stalls, ACLU Calls for Much-Needed Fixes, Says Lawmakers Must Act to Protect Due Process and Privacy (04/07/2006)
WASHINGTON - As legislation to reform the nation’s immigration laws stalled in the Senate today, the American Civil Liberties Union urged lawmakers to modify that legislation to better protect privacy, judicial review and due process rights.

California Judge Confirms Police Officers' Rights Were Violated By Hidden Locker Room Camera (04/04/2006)
LOS ANGELES – In a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, a federal judge ruled late Tuesday that Ontario police officers' rights under both federal and state law were violated when a police detective installed a video camera in a men's locker room to spy on the officers.

ACLU Urges House To Reject "Border Security" Bill, Warns of Unintended Consequences For America’s Workers (12/16/2005)
WASHINGTON - With a vote looming on an ill-considered and short-sighted immigration bill, the American Civil Liberties Union today urged the House of Representatives to oppose legislation that would have a detrimental impact on Americans’ ability to work and would also undermine due process in the immigration system.

ACLU Opposes Faulty "Border Security" Bill, Proposal Would Require Workers to Get Government "Permission Slip" (12/15/2005)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today urged the House of Representatives to oppose a border security bill that fails to properly address the issue of illegal immigration, undermines due process and creates a federally mandated "permission slip" for all Americans. This sweeping legislation has not been thoroughly examined by Congress, and yet could be considered as early as today.

ACLU Calls Flawed House Border Security Bill An Assault on Privacy, Says Measure Would Expand Policies That Already Erode Civil Liberties (12/08/2005)
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union today denounced legislation, authored by House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), aimed at enhancing border security and employment verification, but that would actually undermine the privacy of Americans and would not appropriately address the issue of illegal immigration. The House Judiciary Committee approved that bill today.

ACLU of Alaska Seeks Court Order to Stop State from Publicizing Private Information of Licensed Nurses (04/18/2005)
ANCHORAGE -- Acting on behalf of a local nurse, the Alaska affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union today filed a lawsuit seeking to bar state officials from publishing contact information for licensed nurses in its online searchable database, on its website, or on informational CDs.

ACLU Welcomes House Passage of Privacy Protection Bill (10/08/2002)
WASHINGTON - Troubled by ever-increasing erosion of privacy, the American Civil Liberties Union today applauded House passage of a new bill -- sponsored by an unusual right-left alliance of Reps. Bob Barr (R-GA) and Mel Watt (D-NC) -- that would incorporate key privacy protections into the activities of federal agencies.

More Stores Now Spy on Employees (07/11/2001)
MIAMI -- Retail store owners are increasingly using advanced technology to spy on employees, and civil liberties advocates say that such surveillance is invasive and, in many cases, excessive, The New York Times reported. 

Disney Employees Object to Police Screenings (02/26/2001)
ANAHEIM, CA -- Anaheim police are under fire for requiring bartenders, janitors and other employees of alcohol-selling establishments to carry city-issued identification cards as well as provide officers with fingerprints and personal information, the Los Angeles Times reported.

City of Decatur Modifies Employee Background Checks in Response to ACLU (02/26/2001)
DECATUR, GA--In response to inquiries from the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, city officials here will alter highly intrusive background checks on people who work in bars and restaurants where alcohol is served, the ACLU announced today.

Nevada Officials Drop Plan to License and Fingerprint Clergy (12/29/2000)
LAS VEGAS, NV -- Under pressure from local religious and civil rights leaders, Clark County Clerk Shirley Parraguirre said yesterday she is shelving new licensing regulations that would have required police background checks for ministers who perform marriages.

Law Would Outlaw Bosses' Electronic Snooping (07/20/2000)
WASHINGTON, DC -- A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced a bill that would ban companies from secretly monitoring employees' electronic communications, MSNBC reported.

ACLU Applauds Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Employees' Privacy (07/20/2000)
WASHINGTON -- The American Civil Liberties Union today welcomed introduction of a bill that would ensure employees are notified if their employer monitors their phone calls and emails and urged Congress to adopt the legislation before adjourning. 

Settlement of CO Strip-Search Case Ends Practice for Federal Jobs Corps Participants Nationwide (03/01/2000)
DENVER, CO -- The successful settlement here of a federal civil rights lawsuit brought against the Department of Labor to stop strip-searches of Job Corps participants will end the practice nationwide, the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado said today.

Report Calls Employee Drug Testing a Bad Investment (12/15/1999)
Drug testing has become a routine part of the hiring process in America, the Los Angeles Times reported on December 15th. Most large employers -- 70%, according to the American Management Association -- test a candidate when they are ready to make a job offer.

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