Special Report: Three More States Consider Bills to Block Federal Gun Control
We recently reported on five states with bills to reject federal gun control measures. And this week, we can add three additional states, with more likely to join soon.
Virginia Bill Would Prohibit Warrantless Electronic Data Collection; Hinder Some Federal Surveillance Programs
RICHMOND, Va. (Jan. 25, 2016) – A Virginia bill would end warrantless collection of cell phone data and ban the use “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant or wiretap order in most situations. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in Virginia, but would…
Michigan Action Alert: Help Protect the 4th Amendment, Support HB5162
Michigan HB5162 would deny state-level support and resources to the NSA and all federal agencies involved in warrantless spying. It must pass in the House Oversight And Ethics Committee to receive a vote in the full House. PLEASE TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS to support this important bill. 1. Call the House Oversight And Ethics Committee Chair,…
Sweeping Vermont Privacy Bill Passes State Senate; Would Hinder Several Federal Surveillance Programs
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Jan. 15, 2016) – A sweeping Vermont bill that would establish robust privacy protections in the state passed Senate Thursday. If ultimately signed into law, it would not only limit warrantless surveillance and help ensure electronic privacy in Vermont, but would also hinder part of the federal surveillance state. The legislation would restrict the…
Oregon Law Curbing Warrantless Collection of Cellphone Data Now in Effect
SALEM, Ore. (Jan. 4, 2016) – Privacy got a boost in Oregon on New Year’s Day. On Jan.1, a new law prohibiting police from obtaining information from electronic devices without a warrant in most cases went into effect. The new law will not only protect privacy in Oregon, but will also address a practical effect…
Spying: It Can Happen to Me; It Can Happen to You
When I talk about NSA spying and mass warrantless surveillance, I’m pretty sure most people react something like this: yeah, it’s bad, but it doesn’t have any direct impact on me. I mean, why would the government ever bother to spy on me? Really, that’s for the bad guys, or the Muslims. It can’t happen…
New Hampshire Bill Would Ban NSA Activity Called the “Biggest Threat Since the Civil War”
CONCORD, N.H. (Dec. 22, 2015) – A bill introduced in the New Hampshire House for the 2016 session would prohibit a federal-local surveillance collaboration that the NSA’s former chief technical director called the “biggest threat since the civil war.” Rep. Neal Kurk prefiled House Bill 1494 (HB1494). The legislation would prohibit government agencies from acquiring, collecting, retaining…
Local Cops Getting Spy Gear from Feds; States Can Stop It
Federal militarization of state and local police has gone beyond armored vehicles and combat grade weapons, and now encompasses the latest surveillance technology. Not only are state and local cops secretly obtaining high-tech spy gear, non-disclosure agreements signed by law enforcement agencies essentially give the FBI complete control over how your local cops gather evidence.…
“Turn it Off!” Michigan Bill Would Ban Resources to NSA
LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 16, 2015) – A bill filed in Michigan yesterday would not only support efforts to turn off water and electricity to NSA facilities in Utah, Texas and other states, but also would have immediate practical effects on federal surveillance programs if passed. Rep. Martin Howrylak, along with 21 cosponsors from both sides of…
The Surveillance State Operates Behind Veil of Ignorance
The federal government spies on you. A lot. And it operates behind a veil of ignorance. Despite revelations by Edward Snowden and other whistleblowers, many Americans still apparently believe warrantless surveillance only happens to “bad guys,” and they have nothing to worry about because of the “I have nothing to hide” myth. Americans simply don’t…