Blog

San Francisco just announced it has finalized its contract with Earthlink/Google. There are a couple of good notice provisions in the contract, but ultimately, SF failed to protect the privacy and free speech rights of its residents. This is not free WiFi. If you use the Basic Service provided by Google, you will be paying for it with your privacy and free speech rights. ... Read More

The Police Commission is about to decide whether to install 25 new surveillance cameras in locations around San Francisco, including multiple cameras at 24th and Mission and 16th and Mission. The Commission has supported the installation of cameras because it says "the community wants them." Please join concerned citizens to let the Police Commission know that you want RE... Read More

On Wednesday, November 15, the San Francisco Police Commission voted to expand the City's video surveillance program to an additional six locations. The Commission approved the expansion over objections raised by ACLU of Northern California regarding inadequate notice to the community, privacy concerns, and the failure of the City to provide any evidence that cameras are an effective deterrent, as... Read More

While studies from around the world show that video surveillance is not effective in preventing or reducing violent crime, another Northern California city is moving to install cameras. The City of Sacramento Police announced yesterday that it was starting a "pilot program" to install public video surveillance- claiming it will help make the community safer. The City of Sacramento Pol... Read More

Senator Joe Simitian introduced four RFID bills into the California legislature: SB 30 - Identity Information Protection Act of 2007- privacy and security protections on the use of RFID tags in all California government-issued identification documents. SB 28 – Prohibition of RFID tags in California driver's licenses. SB 29 – Prohibition of RFID ta... Read More

Video Surveillance: Stop Expansion of Video Surveillance Cameras at 16th and Mission Do you live, work, or walk around 16th and Mission? If you don't let the Police Commission know that you do not want public video cameras put up that will monitor your activities, while not preventing or reducing crime, you need to let them know now ! Come to the Police Commi... Read More

Very disappointing news – despite strong support from up and down the state and across the aisle and thousands of letters sent by constituents, the Governor vetoed the RFID bill. GOVERNOR VETOES RFID PRIVACY MEASURE; SIMITIAN CALLS VETO A "MISSED OPPORTUNITY," SAYS HE'LL REINTRODUCE LEGISLATION Sacramento – State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto) announced to... Read More

Welcome to Bytes and Pieces, the new blog for the Technology and Civil Liberties Program. I hope that you will be a frequent visitor to this spot to keep up to date on all the latest news and activities on privacy, free speech, and new technology and share your thoughts on current projects and emerging issues. Hot Off the Presses: Landmark RFID Bill Passes Le... Read More

What you choose to read says a lot about who you are, what you value, and what you believe. That’s why you should be able to learn about anything from politics to health without worrying that someone is looking over your shoulder. The ACLU has fought alongside libraries and bookstores time and again to defend the privacy rights of readers. Now we need your help to protect reader privacy rights in ... Read More