Our Work
Founded in 2014, the Center on Privacy & Technology is a leader at the intersection of privacy, surveillance, and civil rights.
Latest Work
Founding Director Writes the Maryland Driver Privacy Act and Testifies in Support of the Bill in the Maryland House and Senate
After the immigrant rights organization CASA discovered that ICE was running face recognition searches on databases containing Maryland driver's license photos without permission or oversight, Alvaro Bedoya joined forces with CASA, Senator Lam, and Delegate Stein to write the Maryland Driver Privacy Act. The bill would require ICE to obtain a warrant before accessing information collected by the MVA and other government agencies in the course of providing essential services to Marylanders. The bill would also require state authorities to report annually on the number of requests for information they receive and the state’s response in each case. Watch Alvaro testify in support of this bill in the Maryland House Judiciary Committee on January 27, 2021, and the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on January 28, 2021.
“Innovation illusion” blog
Associate Jameson Spivack published a blog analyzing how technological "innovation" comes with obscured human costs. Read the whole blog here.
Podcast Series: City Surveillance Watch
Center Associate Jameson Spivack was featured in a three-part podcast series, City Surveillance Watch, exploring how cities are using surveillance technologies, and the implications of these invasive tools.
“All I want for Christmas is some privacy” blog
On December 7, 2021, ahead of the upcoming Christmas holiday, Deputy Director Katie Evans published a blog reflecting on the privacy that the practice of journaling can provide. Read the whole blog here.
Addressing Challenges at the Intersection of Civil Rights and Technology
Associate Director Laura Moy and former Associate Gabrielle Rejouis released a report through the Day One Project, “Addressing Challenges at the Intersection of Civil Rights and Technology,” outlining critical inefficiencies when it comes to federal agencies actively combating such issues.
Amicus Brief Against the Baltimore Police Department
The Center files an amicus brief arguing that the Baltimore Police Department’s warrantless aerial surveillance program is unconstitutional.
“A year of working “slowly”” blog
On November 9, 2020, the Privacy Center staff published a blog of their reflections on their year of "slow work" policies. Read the whole blog here.
Coded Bias: A Look at Artificial Intelligence & Law Enforcement
Senior Associate Clare Garvie joined an expert panel discussing Coded Bias, a documentary about face recognition bias. Other panelists included director and producer Shalini Kantayya, MIT researcher Joy Buolamwini and ACLU's Kade Crawford; moderated by CNN's Van Jones.
Panel: Racial Bias in AI
Center Policy Associate Jameson Spivack spoke as part of an expert panel, "Racial Biases in Artificial Intelligence," for a webinar hosted by the University of Maryland business school.
Document Journal: Your Face is Already in a Criminal Lineup
Senior Associate discussed the risks of police face recognition use in a long-form Q&A with Document Journal.