Digital Library

EPIC Urges UK ICO To Address Law Enforcement Use of Private Data/Systems, Security Issues, AI, and “Soft Biometrics” in Draft Biometric Data Guidance

In comments filed October 20th, EPIC urged the UK ICO's Identity and Trust Team (Technology Policy) to make updates to its draft biometric data guidance. In particular, we recommend that the guidance be expanded to (i) address the pervasive ties between law enforcement and private companies' biometric data and systems; (ii) establish baseline security standards for biometric processing, including a template risk assessment; and (iii) detail the risks of scale and scope of harm present where AI is integrated into biometric systems.

• Data Protection

• Enforcement of Privacy Laws

• Face Surveillance & Biometrics

• International Privacy

• International Privacy Laws

• Privacy in Public

• Privacy Laws

• Surveillance Oversight

• Updates

DHS OIG: CBP, ICE, and Secret Service Violated Privacy Policies, Failed to Develop Sufficient Policies Before Purchasing and Using Commercial Geolocation Data

A report by the Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General (DHS OIG) revealed that CBP, ICE, and the Secret Service purchased and used commercial geolocation data in violation of their privacy policies, and that DHS components have failed to develop policies governing the purchase and use of location data.

• Data Protection

• Location Tracking

• Open Government

• Privacy Impact Assessments

• Privacy in Public

• Surveillance Oversight

• Updates

EPIC Urges Appeals Court to Require Police to Obtain Search Warrants Before Conducting Months-Long Recordings of People’s Homes

• Fourth Amendment

• Privacy in Public

• Privacy Laws

• Surveillance Oversight

• Updates

EPIC, Coalition Call for Hearing on NYPD POST Act Violations

EPIC and a coalition of civil rights, civil liberties, privacy, and community-based organizations have requestedthat the New York City Council hold a hearing on NYPD’s noncompliance with the POST Act.

• Privacy in Public

• Surveillance Oversight

• Updates

EPIC Cautions OSTP on Data Transfers, Urges Differential Privacy

On March 30, EPIC submitted comments to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) recommending several resources that might assist OSTP in fulfilling the aims of the "Advancing Effective, Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices to Enhance Public Trust and Public Safety" Executive Order.

• Access to Information

• AI in the Criminal Justice System

• Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights

• Democracy & Free Speech

• Fourth Amendment

• Freedom of Information Act

• Government Databases

• Open Government

• Privacy & Racial Justice

• Privacy in Public

• Privacy Laws

• Surveillance Oversight

• Updates

EPIC, Coalition Call on DEA to End Illegal National License Plate Reader Program

EPIC joined a diverse coalition of civil society groups to urge the DEA to end the National License Plate Reader Program.

• Government Databases

• Privacy in Public

• Surveillance Oversight

• Updates

DHS OIG Report: Secret Service and ICE Illegally Used Cell-Site Simulators

A report by DHS's Inspector General revealed that the Secret Service and ICE have used cell-site simulators without obtaining warrants or following statutory privacy requirements.

• Privacy in Public

• Surveillance Oversight

• Wiretapping

• Updates

EPIC Urges FTC to Regulate Surveillance Tech Companies Using Police as Promoters

EPIC urged the agency to incorporate the full scope of the Endorsement Guides into its rule, and also urged the Commission to make explicit that companies are liable for violations of the Endorsement Guides made by police promoters.

• Big Data

• Consumer Privacy

• Fourth Amendment

• Privacy in Public

• Privacy Laws

• Surveillance Oversight

• Updates

EPIC, Coalition Urge President Biden to Ensure That Federal Policing Funds are Not Used for Abortion Surveillance

• Data Protection

• Health Privacy

• Privacy in Public

• Surveillance Oversight

• Updates

Report: FBI Relied Heavily on Google Geofence Warrants in January 6 Investigations

• Fourth Amendment

• Privacy in Public

• Privacy Laws

• Surveillance Oversight

• Updates