Our Work
Founded in 2014, the Center on Privacy & Technology is a leader at the intersection of privacy, surveillance, and civil rights.
Latest Work
Wired: ICE Records Reveal How Agents Abuse Access to Secret Data
Executive Director Emily Tucker and Associate Nina Wang were quoted in a Wired article revealing how ICE agents have regularly abused their access to surveillance databases, conducting unauthorized searches of exes and coworkers and on behalf of family and neighbors. The article also quotes the Center's report, American Dragnet: Data-Driven Deportation in the 21st Century, which showed that these databases enable ICE "to pull detailed dossiers on nearly anyone, seemingly at any time." “All of that access to bulk data leaves the door wide open for misconduct,”said Wang.
WIRED: ICE is Grabbing Data from Schools and Abortion Clinics
Executive Director Emily Tucker was quoted in WIRED for an article about ICE surveillance. Tucker said, "I can’t help but feel that the federal government is using ICE as a data vacuum. They are looking for any way to access and integrate all kinds of data into massive databases."
Letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
The Center signed on to a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) urging them to regulate the sale of "credit header" data, including names, addresses, and other sensitive personal information, which data brokers have purchased from sources like essential utility companies and sold to police and immigration enforcement. The letter's release was covered by WIRED.
New Privacy Center Report Shows ICE Surveillance Affects a Majority of Americans
The Privacy Center published "American Dragnet: Data-Driven Deportation in the 21st Century." Authored by Policy Associate Nina Wang, Research Fellow Allison McDonald, Research Coordinator Dan Bateyko, and Executive Director Emily Tucker, the report is the first to quantify the scope of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's widespread surveillance practices. Read the full press release.
Op-Ed: Selling Utility Data to ICE Restricts Access to Essential Utilities
Policy Associate Nina Wang published an op-ed in The Boston Globe urging lawmakers to take action and protect people living in the U.S. from ICE’s collection of utility data.
“Stopping DHS Domestic Surveillance: An Action Plan for the Biden Administration” blog
Senior Associate Harrison Rudolph published a blog detailing how President Biden should dismantle the surveillance agency the Department of Homeland Security has become under President Trump. Read the whole blog here.
News Beat Podcast: Facial Recognition & Wrongful Arrests
News Beat highlighted the wrongful arrests of Michigan residents Michael Oliver and Robert Williams. Center Senior Associate Clare Garvie spoke with hosts about the risks to free speech and privacy posed by the widespread adoption of the technology, misuse, and its racial impacts.
“ICE access to utility data could lead to a housing crisis” blog
Associate Nina Wang published a blog about how ICE's access to utility data could lead to a housing crisis, among other devastating effects. Read the whole blog here.
“Who is entitled to power and water in America?” blog
Associate Nina Wang published a blog detailing how immigration policy across the country denies many access to basic utilities. Read the whole blog here.
“Is your utility company telling ICE where you live?” blog
Associate Nina Wang published a blog detailing how ICE is getting access to utilities data from customers all across the nation. Read the whole blog here.