Our Work
Founded in 2014, the Center on Privacy & Technology is a leader at the intersection of privacy, surveillance, and civil rights.
Latest Work
“The Department of Homeland Security Is Unlawfully Collecting DNA” article in Lawfare
Director of Research & Advocacy Stevie Glaberson published a piece in Lawfare, "The Department of Homeland Security Is Unlawfully Collecting DNA," describing the Department of Homeland Security’s expansive and unlawful DNA collection regime. Stevie argued that the agency appears to be violating the statutory bounds of its DNA-collecting authority, is violating the constitution, and that consent of those from whom DNA is collected cannot cure these violations.
Privacy Center quoted in The Latin Times article about ICE’s bulk collection of data
Associate Emerald Tse was quoted in a The Latin Times article by Pedro Camacho titled "Arrest of Mexican Man in Hawaii Shows ICE is Using Remittance Data To Deport Migrants" about ICE's bulk collection of data. "[ICE] are sidestepping that constitutional requirement," said Tse.
Privacy Center featured on The Take podcast to talk about DHS DNA Collection
Director of Research and Advocacy Stevie Glaberson joined The Take, an Al Jazeera English podcast, to talk about "Raiding the Genome" and DHS DNA collection. The Take produced an audio and a video piece. The Take's YouTube channel, where the video piece ran, has 16.5 million subscribers.
“Migrant Data Extractivism” paper published
Postdoctoral Fritz Fellow Marianna Poyares published a paper on the prestigious academic journal International Migration, published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM-UN). The paper "Migrant Data Extractivism: Tech and Borders at the Limit of Rights", argues that migrant data extractivism is fundamental for understanding new technologies of migration governance, highlighting, among others, the practice of migrant DNA collection uncovered by the Privacy Center's Raiding the Genome report.
Privacy Center provided background for Seattle’s King 5 investigation
Executive Director Emily Tucker and Associate Emerald Tse spoke on background to a reporter from Seattle's King 5 for an investigation, which revealed that Washington State's Department of Licensing reinstated ICE access to private driver data. This reporting follows the re-release of the Privacy Center's "American Dragnet" report, which details Washington State's previous attempts to block the use of state data for carrying out deportations.
Privacy Center quoted in The Hoya article about FOIA lawsuit
Associate Emerald Tse was quoted in a The Hoya (Georgetown University's student newspaper) article about the Center on Privacy & Technology, Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, and Americans for Immigrant Justice's lawsuit against the DHS. “The vast majority of people who come into contact with immigration enforcement are those from communities of color, so people of color are the most likely to have their DNA taken under DHS’s program. The expansion of DNA collection will undoubtedly deepen those disparities," said Tse. Executive Director Emily Tucker was also quoted.
Privacy Center quoted in Truthout article about Trump’s expansion of the surveillance state
Associate Emerald Tse was quoted in a Truthout article, "Trump Is Rapidly Expanding the Surveillance State as Protests Grow" about Trump's expansion of the surveillance state. "You are seeing that federal agents working under this current administration are very openly using surveillance technologies to trump our free speech, to completely violate our privacy, and not even giving personal privacy consideration anymore," Tse said.
“Migrant Data Extractivism” paper submitted
Postdoctoral Fritz Fellow Marianna Poyares submitted an expert contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in response to their call for information on the topic of externalization of migration and its impacts on the human rights of migrants. The paper was published in July 2025 in the UN's International Organization for Migration academic journal.
Privacy Center quoted in Bloomberg article about ICE’s DNA collection program
Associate Emerald Tse was quoted in a Bloomberg article about ICE's DNA collection program. “The mass collection of this data leaves it open for abuse. They really shouldn’t be keeping those DNA samples in perpetuity," Tse said. The Center on Privacy & Technology's 2024 report, "Raiding the Genome," was also cited in the article. Bloomberg republished the article in Spanish.
Privacy Center quoted in El País article about FOIA lawsuit
Director of Research and Advocacy Stevie Glaberson was quoted in an El País article about the recent lawsuit the Center on Privacy & Technology, Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, and Americans for Immigrant Justice jointly filed against the Department of Homeland Security after trying to get records about DHS' DNA collection program. "The public needs to know now more than ever what the government is doing. There really is no protection. The way DNA is collected is unconstitutional and violates the Fourth Amendment, which protects against search and seizure," said Glaberson. The Center on Privacy & Technology's 2024 report, "Raiding the Genome," was also cited in the article. The article was also published in Spanish.