Privacy and Surveillance

The ACLU works to expand the right to privacy, increase the control individuals have over their personal information, and ensure civil liberties are not compromised by technological innovation.

Collage with imagery representing facial recognition biometrics and a child on a device with their face hidden and imagery of data

We are fighting for everyone’s right to privacy and freedom from excessive surveillance.

The lack of strong privacy laws endangers all of us — especially vulnerable communities like immigrants, protesters, and people seeking and providing reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare.

The ACLU advocates for modern data privacy laws and community awareness of excessive surveillance. We do this through our public records requests and ongoing engagement with state and local government.

The Latest

Press Release
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ACLU of Massachusetts Celebrates Somerville’s Commitment to Protect Civil Liberties for All Residents

Updates to the city’s Welcoming Community Ordinance further restrict local collaboration with ICE and reinforce strong protections for First Amendment activity
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights, Privacy and Surveillance
News & Commentary
Collage image of a stop light, street camera, road, and geometric shapes.

We’re privacy hawks. Here’s why we’re alarmed by license plate readers — and not necessarily by speed cameras

When properly regulated, speed cameras don't pose the same threats to privacy as license-plate-reader surveillance
Press Release
Black background with text that reads in white and neon yellow “Meta: Make Eyewear, not spywear.” Below the text is a graphic collage that includes eyeglasses, a creepy eyeball, and an image of three people walking down the street with neon yellow boxes around them suggesting they have been visually captured and identified.

ACLU and 75 Organizations Sound Alarm on Meta’s Plan to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Ray-Ban and Oakley Eyeglasses

Open letter signed by scores of nonprofits warns that the glasses pose an unacceptable threat to our right to privacy and must be cancelled
Issue Areas: Privacy and Surveillance
Press Release
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ACLU of Massachusetts Applauds House Data Privacy Bill

H.4746 features critical protections against the abuse of personal data
Issue Areas: Privacy and Surveillance
Legislation
May 03, 2019

Social Media Privacy Act

Private communications and activities deserve the same protections online and offline.
Legislation
Jan 30, 2019

Artificial Intelligence Commission

We must ensure people’s rights are protected in the age of algorithms.
Legislation
Jan 30, 2019

Administrative Subpoena Transparency

Bringing necessary transparency to warrantless surveillance of our private information.
Legislation
Jan 30, 2019

Electronic Privacy Act

Electronic Privacy Act will require a warrant for access to information about your cell phone and computer use.