News & Commentary written by Jay Stanley

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Jay Stanley

Senior Policy Analyst

ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project

Bio

Jay Stanley is senior policy analyst with the ACLU Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, where he researches, writes and speaks about technology-related privacy and civil liberties issues and their future. He edits the ACLU Free Future blog, focused on emerging technology, and has authored and co-authored hundreds of influential ACLU reports, white papers, and blog posts on privacy and technology topics.

Featured work

Rain falls on a residential street, where a red security sign warns "Cameras in Use 24/7 Security, Criminals Will Be Prosecuted, and flock safety." Cars drive down the wet road past houses, trees, sidewalks, and fences in the background.

Jun 29, 2026

How to Fight Deployment of Flock and Other Mass Surveillance License Plate Readers in Your Community

How to Fight Deployment of Flock and Other Mass Surveillance License Plate Readers in Your Community
A frontal view of a police car with its lights on at night

Jun 24, 2026

Surveillance is Driving a Corporatization of Police Departments

Surveillance is Driving a Corporatization of Police Departments
A man looking anxiously upward

Jun 17, 2026

The Downsides of "Deterrence"

The Downsides of "Deterrence"
Federal agents dressed in military gear roaming the streets of Memphis

Jun 16, 2026

Trump Administration Hijacks Police Grants to Leverage Local Police For Its Authoritarian Ends

Trump Administration Hijacks Police Grants to Leverage Local Police For Its Authoritarian Ends
Black and white photo of a police officer sitting at a desk writing by hand

May 19, 2026

Studies Question Value of AI-Assisted Police Reports

Studies Question Value of AI-Assisted Police Reports
A sign on a metal rack reading "N.O.P.D. / police line / do not cross"

Apr 29, 2026

New Orleans Police Continuing to Use Live Face Recognition Despite City Law

New Orleans Police Continuing to Use Live Face Recognition Despite City Law
A police officer looking at a wall full of screens in a crime center showing maps and data

Apr 16, 2026

Municipalities: Beware of Changes in Flock’s Legal Terms if You’re Using or Considering License Plate Readers

Municipalities: Beware of Changes in Flock’s Legal Terms if You’re Using or Considering License Plate Readers
A Utah mesa at sunset with a barcode superimposed on the side cliffs

Mar 30, 2026

Utah Passes Nation’s Strongest Digital Identity Bill

Utah Passes Nation’s Strongest Digital Identity Bill
A police drone with two downward facing cameras hovering against a blue sky

Mar 26, 2026

Drones For People Not Just Police and Corporations

Drones For People Not Just Police and Corporations
Immigration agents dressed up as soldiers with big guns facing the camera with cars and sky behind them

Mar 24, 2026

All the Ways Palantir is Assisting Trump’s Abusive Removal Campaign

All the Ways Palantir is Assisting Trump’s Abusive Removal Campaign