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Surveillance

The advance of technology presents both opportunities for and challenges to liberty. As new technologies are implemented, their impacts on civil liberties must be considered. The ACLU supports uses of technology that enhance privacy and freedom while opposing those that undermine liberty and move us closer to a surveillance society.
Seattle has passed the strongest surveillance transparency and accountability protections in the country!
Judge fines Tacoma Police Department for withholding public records about invasive surveillance device
Seattle City Council adopts nation’s strongest law to protect utility customer personal data
Amazon Should Stop Selling Face Surveillance Technology to the Government
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Resources

Automated Decision Making Systems Are Making Some of the Most Important Life Decisions For You, but You Might Not Even Know It

Published: 
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Every day, people are denied healthcare, overpoliced, kept in jail, and passed up for jobs because of decisions made or aided by computers.
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 Will body cameras help end police violence? 

Published: 
Monday, June 7, 2021
A comprehensive review of 70 empirical studies of body-worn cameras found that body cameras have not had statistically significant or consistent effects in decreasing police use of force. While some studies suggest that body cameras may offer benefits, others show either no impact or even possible negative effects.
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ACLU Statement on Extended Amazon Face Recognition Moratorium

News Release, Published: 
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Amazon today announced it will indefinitely extend its moratorium on sales of face recognition technology to law enforcement. In June 2020, amidst nationwide protests against police violence, Amazon announced a one-year pause on its sale of the technology to police.
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ACLU of Washington statement on data privacy bills before the Washington State Legislature during the 2021 session

News Release, Published: 
Monday, April 26, 2021
For the third year in a row, the ACLU of Washington and the Tech Equity coalition successfully fought the adoption of weak privacy regulations in the Washington State Legislature, alongside privacy, consumer rights, racial justice, and civil rights advocates.
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Surveillance is our new reality: Learn how to watch the watchers with this toolkit

Published: 
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
More than ever, understanding who is watching you and how is critical for engaging in public life. But exhortations to "protect your privacy" can be overwhelming and vague. It's easy to feel powerless.
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ACLU of Washington Releases Coveillance Toolkit to Help People Notice and Counter Surveillance

News Release, Published: 
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
Coveillance is a proactive approach to the powerful and unprecedented surveillance technologies that dominate public life in 2021.
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