Davis California Passes Ordinance Creating Oversight and Transparency for Surveillance Programs

DAVIS, Calif. (April 6, 2018) – Last month, the city of Davis, Calif., passed a local ordinance that sets the stage to limit the acquisition and use of spy gear by law enforcement and other city agencies. The law will also help limit the impact of the federal surveillance state. The Surveillance Technology Ordinance requires public…

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Signed into Law: Kansas Bill Requires Strict Asset Forfeiture Reporting; A First Step Toward Reform

TOPEKA, Kan. (April 6, 2018) – Last Monday, Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer signed a bill into law implementing strict reporting requirements for all asset forfeitures in the state. The bill takes a first step that could lead to substantive reforms.  The Committee on Judiciary introduced House Bill 2459 (HB2459) on Jan. 11. The new law requires…

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DHS Confirms Presence of Cell-site Simulators in U.S. Capital

“Cell-phone tracking technology known as cell-site simulators (CSS) are being operated by potentially malicious actors in our nation’s capital. DHS doesn’t know who’s operating them or why, or whether these fake cell towers are installed elsewhere in the country.”

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US spy lab hopes to geotag every outdoor photo on social media

“The ability to combine this location data with information about who appears in those photos—and any social media contacts tied to them—would make it possible for government agencies to quickly track terrorist groups posting propaganda photos. (And, really, just about anyone else.)”

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Rancher sues Feds for sneaking a spy camera on to his land

“Palacio’s ranch is situated north of the Mexican border. Exactly how far away is of utmost importance when it comes to what rights you have in the US, where it’s commonly said that borders are a ‘Constitution-free zone’.”

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