The Privacy Coalition is a nonpartisan coalition of consumer, civil liberties, educational, family, library, labor, and technology organizations that have agreed to the Privacy Pledge. Members of the coalition have been meeting since 1995, but formalized the organization in February 2001. View a list of member organizations.
Latest Posts
TSA Responds to Whole Body Imaging Objections
June 23, 2009The Transportation Security Administration has replied to the Privacy Coalition statement on whole body imaging systems. The agency claims that the Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) provides adequate protection. The Privacy Coalition letter pointed out that "the devices are designed to capture, record, and store detailed images of individuals undressed" and said that "If the public understood this, they would be outraged by the use of these devices by the US government on US citizens." The Privacy Coalition said that the use of the devices should be suspended pending an investigation. The letter was prompted by the TSA's announcement that Whole Body Imaging would replace metal detectors as the primary screening technique at US airports. The House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would establish clear privacy safeguards for the devices.
Posted by EPIC on June 23, 2009
House Votes to Halt Digital Strip Searches
June 5, 2009The House of Representatives approved by a vote of 310 to 118 a bill that will limit the use of Whole-Body Imaging machines, installed by the Transportation
Security Administration, in US airports. The devices photograph American air travelers stripped naked and could easily be programmed to record images. Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) sponsored the bill that will prohibit the use of the devices as the sole or primary method of screening aircraft passengers; require that passengers be provided information on the operation of such technology and offered a pat-down search in lieu of such screening; and prohibit the storage of an image of a passenger after a boarding determination is made. Privacy Coalition members supported a campaign to raise public awareness about Whole Body Imaging.
Posted by EPIC on June 5, 2009
Letter Sent to Secretary of Homeland Security to Halt Digital Strip Searches
June 3, 2009The Privacy Coalition sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, urging the agency to halt use of Whole Body Imaging. The program captures detailed naked images of all passengers at airports. The Transportation Security Administration had earlier stated that Whole Body Imaging would only be used as a voluntary alternative. Tomorrow, June 4, 2009, Congress will vote on a bill to halt the use of Whole Body Imaging. The measure is sponsored by Representative Jason Chaffetz.
Posted by EPIC on June 3, 2009
Join the Letter to Stop Whole Body Imaging at US Airports
May 19, 2009The Coalition is urging that the Secretary of Homeland Security stop using technology that takes nude photographs of American air travelers. The campaign is in response to a policy reversal by the TSA, which would now make the "virtual strip search" mandatory, instead of voluntary as originally announced. EPIC and others joining the letter say that there are inadequate safeguards to prevent the misuse of the images.
Posted by EPIC on May 19, 2009
German Data Protection Commissioner Meets with Privacy Coalition
April 21, 2009On March 27, 2009, Peter Schaar German Federal Data Protection Commissioner met with the Privacy Coalition to discuss emerging privacy issues in Europe. The meeting also hosted discussions with the office of State Representative Paul Opsommer (R-MI) on the use of RFID technology and Michigan State Drivers Licenses. Byron Charlton with the AFL-CIO spoke to the group about "Card Check" and the right of a secret ballot. Susan Grant brief the coalition on the new Consumer Federation of America's report on ID theft protection schemes.
Posted by EPIC on April 21, 2009
Privacy.org headlines
House Committee Investigates Clear Registered Traveler Program (Jun. 29, 2009)
Technology Company NSN Aids Iran's Repressive Regime? (Jun. 25, 2009)
Bozeman Rethinks Job Applicants Giving Up Social Networking Passwords (Jun. 24, 2009)
TSA Responds to Whole Body Imaging Objections (Jun. 23, 2009)
Clear ID is at the End of the Road (Jun. 23, 2009)
House Says NO! to Airport Strip Searches (Jun. 5, 2009)
Vote Tomorrow on Bill to Halt Whole Body Imaging at Airports (Jun. 3, 2009)
Vote by 7PM on White House Open Government Recommendations (May. 28, 2009)