Privacy
Coverage of the way technology is changing the kinds of data state and local government collects about citizens, how it uses that data and the ethical and security implications of that. Includes stories about police body cameras, facial recognition, artificial intelligence, medical data, surveillance, etc., as well as privacy policy nationwide.
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The sheriff’s office has turned off an estimated 200 automated license plate readers, indicating the devices which are part of most patrol cars do not comply with the new state Driver Privacy Act.
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The governor has now signed the law, which bars the federal government and agencies outside of Washington from accessing data generated by the cameras that are owned by public agencies in the state.
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A voter-approved charter change banned the devices, but a city councilman said residents may be reconsidering. Mayor Justin Bibb’s “Vision Zero” safety plan includes restoring some.
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Minnesota’s case is one of several breaches of late involving legitimate access, a recurring issue in provider-heavy government health and human services systems.
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A policy advocate from the American Civil Liberties Union warned FETC attendees last week that fear-based marketing and limited empirical evidence are driving district adoption of student surveillance tools.
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San Jose is the latest city whose use of the cameras to snag criminal suspects, critics say, also threatens privacy and potentially runs afoul of laws barring access by out-of-state and federal agencies.
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Thurston County, Wash., commissioners are currently considering regulating the county’s acquisition and use of artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance technology with a new draft ordinance.
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County commissioners will consider spending more than $3.2 million over 10 years to replace body-worn and in-car sheriff’s office cameras. Software, data storage and accessories would be included.
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The county executive said he has directed staff to “begin the process to pass a local law” barring collection of such data. If passed, the county would likely be in the vanguard on biometric data oversight.
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Connecticut state lawmakers are moving to ban facial recognition technology in retail stores throughout the state, citing a CT Insider report on the practice.
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Officials from the state Department of Accounting and General Services warned residents that bad actors are “creating deceptive web addresses” to trick them into releasing personal information.
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More than 200 Wisconsin law enforcement agencies use license plate reading technology. The state’s capital city, however, has so far not installed such cameras even as its neighbors have done so.
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A group of citizens has enlisted the ACLU to look into a visitor and student management system at Andover Public Schools Americans that uses facial recognition to screen and verify guests and volunteers instantly.
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The City Council has approved a three-year, $200,000 contract to install the surveillance devices. Data collected may be used by other state and local law enforcement at city discretion, the police chief said.
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After roughly 90 minutes of public comment, nearly all in opposition, the Flagstaff City Council voted to end its contract for automated license plate readers. The devices came into use last year.
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The city’s police chief reviewed its contract with the vendor providing the cameras and will brief the Common Council, as officials contemplate placing more devices. The city, not the vendor, owns the data collected.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has introduced two new pieces of legislation: one to protect consumers from the costs of AI data centers and one that would establish an Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights.
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The Olympia Police Department has contacted the vendor and requested their deactivation, which is imminent. The move follows community concerns around issues including privacy and immigration enforcement.
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The license plate reading cameras, usually mounted on 12-foot poles, have quickly become standard in police departments across the country, including the Dallas Police Department.
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The cameras can track fugitives, monitor suspicious activity and more, but they must be used responsibly and ethically in order to keep us all safer.
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The City Commission rejected a two-year pact with a company that would have stood up 13 cameras around the city. Dozens of residents expressed concerns at recent and past commission meetings.
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