San Jose, Calif. (June 9, 2016) – On Wednesday, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a surveillance technology ordinance that sets the stage to limit the acquisition and use of spy gear by law enforcement and other county agencies. It also highlights a strategy that can be used to take on federal surveillance…
Government access to biometric data is rapidly expanding, with millions of Americans already in the system. These growing databases, primarily driven by federal policy, pose significant privacy issues. With simple snap of a photo from a police officer using an iPhone app can search through driver’s license to identify you. Now, facial recognition technology has…
BATON ROUGE, La. (June 6, 2016) – Last week, Louisiana Gov. John Bell Edwards signed a bill into law that requires a court order for the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications. The new law will not only protect privacy in the state, but will also hinder…
The FBI Biometric database being developed right now will not only contain fingerprints - it will also store millions of facial recognition photographs, voice recognition data, iris scans and even DNA profiles.
In this episode of Thoughts from Maharrey Head, I share a personal story that demonstrates the very real impact of the surveillance state on everyday behavior. Since the Edward Snowden revelations, Americans have become much more aware of the ever-growing surveillance state. But they don’t really seem to care. Many believe they have nothing to…
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 26, 2016) – On Monday, the California Assembly passed a bill that would restrict warrantless drone surveillance by state and local law enforcement. If ultimately signed into law, the legislation would not only establish important privacy protections at the state level, it would also help thwart the federal surveillance state. Assemblyman Bill…
BATON ROUGE, La. (May 23, 2016) – Today, the Louisiana House gave final approval to a bill that would require a court order for the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications. If Gov. John Bell Edwards signs the bill, it would not only protect privacy in the…
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 19, 2016) – Yesterday, the Illinois House unanimously passed a bill that would ban the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications without a warrant in most situations. It now goes to the governor’s desk.The proposed legislation would not only protect privacy in Illinois, but…
BATON ROUGE, La. (May 18, 2016) – Yesterday, the Louisiana Senate unanimously passed a bill that would require a court order for the use of “stingrays” to track the location of phones and sweep up electronic communications. Passage of the bill would not only protect privacy in the state, but would also hinder one aspect…
MONTPELIER, Vt. (May 10, 2016) – The Vermont legislature has passed a sweeping bill that would establish robust privacy protections in the state, If ultimately signed into law, it would not only limit warrantless surveillance and help ensure electronic privacy in Vermont, but would also hinder several federal surveillance programs that rely on cooperation and data…