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.

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

Resources

Know Your Rights at Ferry Checkpoints

Document, Published:

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Planning to visit the San Juans this summer? A new ACLU flyer explains your rights at Customs checkpoints at ferry terminals.

ACLU Seeks To Protect Privacy of Hotel Guests

News Release, Published:

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

The ACLU has filed an amicus brief challenging Pierce County’s practice of routinely examining hotel registration records without reasonable suspicion of a crime.

Domestic Surveillance Programs Cast Wide Net

News Release, Published:

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

A summary of known federal domestic surveillance programs. Part of the package on ACLU FOIA requests for local peace groups.

Landmark Ruling Says Police Need Warrant for GPS Surveillance

News Release, Published:

Wednesday, September 10, 2003

In a first-in-the-nation case, the Washington Supreme Court today unanimously ruled that police must obtain a warrant in order to track an individual's movements by Global Positioning Systems (GPS). The ruling agrees with the contentions of an amicus brief submitted in the case by the American Civil Liberties Union.