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.

Outline of the state of California with a man in a suit holding a sign that says "Defend Against Surveillance" and a camera

The Latest


News & Commentary
Automatic License Plate Reader

ACLU California and EFF Ask California Supreme Court to Recognize the Harm of License Plate Surveillance

The Court of Appeal’s new requirement would undermine the purpose of SB 34 and the California constitutional right to privacy.
Know Your Rights
collage with hands holding cell phone and a snippet of an administrative subpoena

When the Government Demands Info About Your Online Accounts

How to fight an administrative subpoena that directs a technology company to turn over information about you and your online accounts.
Press Release
drone flying overhead

ACLU Settles Lawsuit with Sonoma County, Curbing Invasive Runaway Drone Surveillance Program that Trampled People’s Privacy

ACLU Settlement Victory for Privacy Protections
Issue Areas: Privacy and Technology
Resource
Flock Cameras surveilling cars on highway.

Get Flock Cameras Out of Your Community

Learn how to fight the proliferation of Flock Safety cameras and other automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) in your city. Get facts, sample letters, and advocacy tools from the ACLU of Northern California.
Legislation

Pass the Freedom from Face Surveillance Act (AB 1034)

Police body cameras were intended for officer accountability, not public surveillance. The use of facial recognition on body cameras would break this promise, transforming these devices into a vehicle for mass surveillance.
Status: Inactive
Legislation

Stop Reverse Demand Warrants (AB 793)

Reverse warrants are a form of unconstitutional digital surveillance that compel tech companies to search their records and reveal the identities of all people who looked up a particular keyword online or were in a certain area at a certain time.
Status: Inactive
Legislation

Prevent Expansion Of Facial Recognition Tech (Oppose AB 2261)

While AB 2261 purported to protect privacy, it did the opposite.
Status: Inactive / Oppose
Legislation

The Body Camera Accountability Act (AB 1215)

Status: SIGNED