Privacy Matters | Privacy SOS

Federal law enforcement mishandles its own drone surveillance data, and now has the power to intercept yours without a warrant.

10/11/2018 - DHS, Drones, Law Reform, Mass Surveillance, Security Theater

Over the objections of civil libertarians including the ACLU, President Trump last week signed the Preventing Emerging Threats Act, a dangerous law enabling the federal government to disable and wiretap drones whenever officials deem a device a “credible threat.” The provision on...
We’re asking the State Police for their browser history and bookmarks. Here’s why.

10/10/2018

A few weeks ago, on Thursday September 13th, 2018, a series of violent explosions and billowing fires tore through Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, Massachusetts. The explosions, which have since been connected to gas line problems, have impacted at least 8,000 people...
The FBI has taken a battering ram to encryption. Today their Trojan horse may be your face.

10/05/2018 - Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Biometrics, DHS, FBI, Law Reform, Mobile Security, Security Theater

After spending years attacking cell phone privacy and encryption in the courts and in Congress, the FBI has used an Ohio man’s face to unlock his phone after obtaining a warrant to search his home. Since Apple announced its face recognition unlocking...
A data privacy battle is heating up in Congress. Here’s what to watch for.

10/04/2018 - Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Corporate Spying, Data Mining, Internet Freedom, Internet of Things, Law Reform, Mass Surveillance, Mobile Security

Last week, tech industry giants testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation about how the federal government should safeguard consumer privacy—and not a single consumer advocate was invited. Apparently fearful of meaningful state action that could tie the hands...
Senators join activists, shareholders, and tech workers in demanding answers about face surveillance

09/20/2018 - Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Biometrics, Corporate Spying, FBI, Mass Surveillance

In recent months the ACLU, Amazon shareholders, Microsoft, activists, scholars, and legislators have raised concerns about the use of facial recognition technologies in the United States. Today, despite a total lack of regulation, law enforcement uses face surveillance to identify and track...
“No Women Need Apply”: ACLU takes on Facebook over discrimination in targeted job ads

09/18/2018 - Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

Are you a woman in a male-dominated field? Did you know that Facebook’s advertising algorithms are making it harder for you to find a job? Today, the ACLU, the private law firm Outten & Golden LLP, and the Communications Workers of America...
DIGAMOS AL CONSEJO MUNICIPAL DE LAWRENCE: Voten SI a la vigilancia supervisada, Voten SI a los derechos de los inmigrantes.

09/13/2018 - Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Immigration, Law Reform, Mass Surveillance

A través de el país, departamentos de policía local y estatal están poniendo en peligro a las comunidades inmigrantes, porque estos departamentos juntan y comparten información con las autoridades federales de inmigración sobre residentes de estas comunidades. Frecuentemente esta información es recopilada...
Tell the Lawrence City Council: Vote ‘yes’ on surveillance oversight, vote ‘yes’ on immigrants’ rights

09/13/2018 - Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Biometrics, Freedom of Speech, Immigration, Law Reform, Mass Surveillance, Police Militarization

Across the country, state and local police departments endanger immigrant communities by collecting and sharing information about residents with federal immigration authorities. Oftentimes this information is captured using high-tech surveillance equipment like license plate trackers and biometric fingerprint readers. But communities across...
Cambridge is close to passing a strong surveillance oversight ordinance. Help us cross the finish line.

08/06/2018 - Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Biometrics, Data Mining, Dissent, Drug Wars, Freedom of Speech, Law Reform, Police Militarization

The ACLU, Digital Fourth, Cambridge residents, and other advocates have been organizing to pass a strong surveillance oversight ordinance in Cambridge, Massachusetts since the fall of 2016. This summer, we are close to crossing the finish line. On August 13, 2018, the...
Hear no evil, see no evil: Amazon pledges to continue selling face surveillance tech to cops

07/31/2018 - Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Biometrics, Corporate Spying, Freedom of Speech, Mass Surveillance, Police Militarization, Racism, Security Theater

Last week, the ACLU of Northern California revealed that Amazon’s Rekognition face surveillance software identified 28 members of Congress as people who have been previously arrested for a crime. The only problem? They were false matches. Unsurprisingly, the 28 members of Congress...