Our Work
Founded in 2014, the Center on Privacy & Technology is a leader at the intersection of privacy, surveillance, and civil rights.
Latest Work
“There is no prohibition on face surveillance in Detroit” blog
Research Fellow Allison McDonald published a blog detailing Detroit Mayor Michael E. Duggan's comments on Detroit PD's Project Green Light. Read the whole blog here.
Privacy Center Senior Associate Testifies at House Oversight Hearing on Face Recognition
On May 22, 2019, Senior Associate Clare Garvie, whose research has exposed face recognition technology's potential for abuse, testified before the House Oversight Committee. The hearing examined the use of face recognition technology by government and commercial entities and the need for oversight on its use on civilians. Read the full press release.
Two New Privacy Center Reports Reveal Serious Problems With Police Use of Face Recognition
On May 16, 2019, the Privacy Center released "Garbage In, Garbage Out: Face Recognition on Flawed Data" and "America Under Watch: Face Surveillance in the United States," two new research reports that reveal new information on police use of face recognition. Read the full press release.
New DHS Program to Scan Americans’ Faces at Airports Riddled with Legal and Technical Problems
On December 21, 2017, the Privacy Center released "Not Ready for Takeoff." Authored by Associate Harrison Rudolph, Deputy Director Laura Moy, and Executive Director Alvaro Bedoya, the report explains that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been scanning of the faces of travelers at eight U.S. airports without legal authorization or technical safeguards. Read the full press release
Privacy Center Files Lawsuit for Release of Information on NYPD’s Face Recognition Program
On May 2, 2017, the Privacy Center filed a lawsuit against the New York Police Department (NYPD) for failure to release documents about its use of face recognition technology in compliance with the state's public records law. Read the full press release.
Privacy Center Executive Director Testifies at House Oversight Hearing on Law Enforcement Use of Face Recognition Technology
On March 22, 2017, founding Executive Director Alvaro Bedoya testified before the House Oversight Committee. The hearing follows the Privacy Center's publication of "The Perpetual Line-Up," which found that more than half of Americans is in a criminal face recognition network. Read the full press advisory.
Over Half of All American Adults Are In a Police Face Recognition Database, New Report Finds
On October 18, 2016, the Privacy Center released "The Perpetual Line-Up: Unregulated Police Face Recognition in America." Authored by Associate Clare Garvie, Executive Director Alvaro Bedoya, and Staff Technologist Jonathan Frankle, the report found that more than half of American adults were enrolled in a face recognition network searchable by law enforcement. Read the full press release.