Kentucky Bill Would Limit Warrantless Drone Surveillance

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 10, 2017) – A bill prefiled in the Kentucky House would require police to get a warrant before engaging in drone surveillance in most situations. Passage of this legislation would not only establish important privacy protections at the state level, it would also help thwart the federal surveillance state. Rep. Diane St.…

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Now in Effect: Two Montana Laws Take on Warrantless Electronic Data Collection

HELENA, Mont. (Oct 5, 2017) – On Sunday, two Montana laws went into effect that work together to ban warrantless collection of cell phone data in most situations. These laws not only increase privacy protections in the state, they also hinder one practical impact of federal surveillance programs. Rep. Daniel Zolnikov sponsored both House Bill 147 (HB147)…

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California Organizations Use Available Tools to Fight for Privacy

In a previous report, we pointed out that simply passing laws isn’t enough. Ensuring government agencies comply with transparency requirements and limits on surveillance activities takes constant vigilance, pressure and activism. Some organizations in California are doing just that. In an effort to better understand how police in Los Angeles use automatic license plate readers, the…

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Bill to End Unchecked Police Surveillance Dies in California Committee

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Sept 5, 2017) –  Last week, a bill that would have required all law enforcement agencies in the state to get local government approval before acquiring or using surveillance technology died in a California Assembly committee. Passage of the bill would have taken the first step toward limiting the unchecked use of surveillance…

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Pennsylvania Bill Would Prohibit Warrantless Stingray Spying

HARRISBURG, Pa. (July 24, 2017) –  A bill introduced in the Pennsylvania House would ban the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations. The proposed law would not only protect privacy in Pennsylvania, but would also hinder one aspect of the federal…

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California Committee Advances Bill to End Unchecked Police Surveillance

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 14, 2017) –  Earlier this week, a second California Assembly committee passed a bill that would require all law enforcement agencies in the state to get local government approval before acquiring or using surveillance technology. Passage of the bill would take the first step toward limiting the unchecked use of surveillance technologies…

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New Hampshire Law Bans Warrantless Stingray Spying

CONCORD, N.H. (July 13, 2017) – Earlier this week, a bill that bans the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations became law without the governor’s signature. The new statute not only protects privacy in New Hampshire, but will also hinder one…

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St. Louis Ordinance Would Take First Step Toward Limiting the Surveillance State

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (July 6, 2017) – Passage of a proposed St. Louis ordinance would take the first step toward limiting the unchecked use of surveillance technologies that violate basic privacy rights and feed into a broader national surveillance state. Alderman Terry Kennedy introduced Board Bill 66 last month. The proposed ordinance would require St.…

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California Committee Approves Bill to End Unchecked Police Surveillance

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 28, 2017) –  Yesterday, an important California Assembly committee passed a bill that would require all law enforcement agencies in the state to get local government approval before acquiring or using surveillance technology. Passage of the bill would take the first step toward limiting the unchecked use of surveillance technologies that violate…

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