Privacy and Technology

The ACLU of Northern California defends the right to privacy guaranteed by the California Constitution and fights for social justice in the digital age. We work to stop dangerous government surveillance, eliminate bias in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, and restrict the online collection and use of our personal data.

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Making Artificial Intelligence Work for the People

People deserve to have control over their lives and futures.

And increasingly, that means having a say in how AI will be used to shape the world around us. To that end, we've created resources for policymakers, companies, and people who want to ensure AI is used the right way.

Read our resources
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Seeing Through Surveillance: Why Policymakers Should Look Past the Hype

With AI looming and rights under attack, surveillance is becoming more powerful, and more dangerous.

This report gives policymakers the resources they need to see through the surveillance hype in order to pursue real public safety.

Read the report
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Privacy and Free Speech: It's Good for Business

Our primer gives companies a step-by-step guide on how to protect their users' rights — and their brand's reputation.

With concrete recommendations and dozens of case studies, we explain why companies can and must weave privacy and free speech into their business model.

Explore
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California Constitutional Right to Privacy

Article I, Section 1 of the California Constitution guarantees an “inalienable” right to privacy that applies both to government and private entities.

For the last five decades, it has helped to safeguard our homes, our families, our bodies, our thoughts, and our associations from invasion by government and corporate interests.

Learn more
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The Latest

Press Release
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ACLU Sues San Francisco Landlords over AI-Powered Surveillance in Tenants' Homes

Issue Areas: Privacy and Technology
Press Release
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Lawsuit Challenges San Jose’s Warrantless ALPR Mass Surveillance

EFF and the ACLU of Northern California Sue on Behalf of Local Nonprofits
Issue Areas: Immigrants' Rights, Privacy and Technology
News & Commentary
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Mass Surveillance in the Trump Era

The Trump administration is weaponizing technology to build a mass-surveillance state.
Know Your Rights
Iphone taking photo

Know Your Rights: Taking Video or Photos of Law Enforcement

Taking photographs of things that are plainly visible from public spaces is a constitutional right – and that includes federal buildings, transportation facilities, and police and other government officials carrying out their duties. Unfortunately, there is a widespread, continuing pattern of law enforcement officers ordering people to stop taking photographs from public places, and harassing, detaining, and arresting those who fail to comply.
Court Case
Dec 05, 2025

San Francisco Tenants Union v. Smart Rent et al.

The ACLU filed a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court today to protect tenants' privacy rights from landlords who force renters to allow AI-powered surveillance technology in their homes
Court Case
Sep 25, 2025

J. Doe v. United States Department of Homeland Security

We filed a motion in federal court to prevent Meta from complying with the Department of Homeland Security’s demand that the tech giant turn over the name, email address, and phone number associated with an Instagram account that reposted a video naming a Border Patrol agent. We argue that the government’s administrative subpoena violated First Amendment protections for anonymous political speech.
Court Case
Jun 04, 2025

Schmitz v Sonoma (Privacy)

The ACLU Foundation of Northern California has filed a lawsuit to block Sonoma County code inspectors from using drones to conduct surveillance of people's homes without a warrant.
Court Case
Jul 06, 2023

In Re Ex Parte Application of Dr. Fredric Eshelman (anonymous online speech)