http://privacycoalition.org/ en Copyright 2009 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:18:56 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 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.]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2009/06/dhs_reply_to_coalition_letter.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/06/dhs_reply_to_coalition_letter.php Campaigns DHS News Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:18:56 -0500 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. ]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2009/06/house_votes_to_halt_digital_st.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/06/house_votes_to_halt_digital_st.php Campaigns DHS Legislation News Privacy Legislation Fri, 05 Jun 2009 07:32:22 -0500 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.]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2009/06/letter_sent_to_secretary_of_ho.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/06/letter_sent_to_secretary_of_ho.php Campaigns DHS News Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:28:08 -0500 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. ]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2009/05/join_the_letter_to_stop_whole.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/05/join_the_letter_to_stop_whole.php Actions Campaigns News Tue, 19 May 2009 16:13:27 -0500 On 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. http://privacycoalition.org/2009/04/german_data_protection_commiss.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/04/german_data_protection_commiss.php News Speakers Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:14:43 -0500 Computers Freedom and Privacy Annual meeting will be held in Washington, DC June 1-4, 2009. This year's meeting is co-chaired by Cindy Southworth with the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and Jay Stanley with the ACLU. This year's theme is Creating the Future.]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2009/03/computers_freedom_and_privacy_1.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/03/computers_freedom_and_privacy_1.php Events News Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:25:56 -0500 Data Protection Supervisor, and Artemi Rallo, the Director of the Spanish Data Protection Agency. They briefed the coalition on data protection developments in Europe. Mr. Hustinx and Mr. Rallo are two of the leading European policy makers in the privacy field. ]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2009/03/eu_data_protection_commissione.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/03/eu_data_protection_commissione.php News Top Issues Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:52:17 -0500 Consumer Federation of America released a new report, "To Catch a Thief: Are Identity Theft Services Worth the Cost?" The report investigates the types of identity theft protection offered by companies, the cost for these services, how they describe what they do, and claims made regarding benefits to customers. The report also includes a list of 10 things that individuals can do to protect themselves and detect fraud.]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2009/03/new_identity_theft_report_1.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/03/new_identity_theft_report_1.php News Top Issues Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:42:38 -0500 letter in support of the nomination of Robert Ellis Smith, Pam Dixon, Dr. Deborah Peel, and Dr. Latanya Sweeney to serve on the Health Information Technology (HIT) Policy Committee. The announcement for the HIT Policy Committee was made in the Federal Register on February 25, with March 6, set as the deadline for nominations. The HIT Policy Committee will make recommendations on the implementation of a nationwide health information technology infrastructure to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2009/03/coalition_members_nominate_pri_1.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/03/coalition_members_nominate_pri_1.php Actions News Top Issues Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:28:52 -0500 World Privacy Forum released a new report on Privacy and Cloud Computing. The report was prepared by Robert Gellman a Washington based privacy consultant. Cloud computing services offer users the option of remote storage and access to computing resources. The most common cloud computing applications include e-mail and database management services.]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2009/02/new_report_on_privacy_and_clou_1.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/02/new_report_on_privacy_and_clou_1.php News Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:10:10 -0500 EPIC planned to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission regarding changes to Facebook’s Terms of Service, the social network service announced that it will restore the original policy. The new Terms of Service were announced on Feb. 4, were widely criticized, and were to be the subject of the EPIC complaint. Facebook users observed that, under the revised policies, Facebook asserted broad, permanent, and retroactive rights to users' personal information - even after they deleted their accounts. ]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2009/02/privacy_groups_successfully_ch.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/02/privacy_groups_successfully_ch.php Campaigns News Top Issues Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:28:21 -0500 resolution to the US Senate in commemoration of International Privacy Day. The signing of the first Council of Europe (COE) Privacy Convention marks the first legally binding international instrument in the area of data protection, this Convention has withstood the test of time by being adaptive and fairly rigorous.]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2009/01/privacy_coalitions_resolution.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/01/privacy_coalitions_resolution.php Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:33:20 -0500 Public Voice is marking the January 28 anniversary of the Council of Europe Convention on Data Protection (No. 108), the most important international law for privacy. More than 40 countries have ratified the Convention. Many more countries around the world should support the Convention (including the United States). A Privacy advocacy call to Action. ]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2009/01/privacy_campaign_real_problems.php http://privacycoalition.org/2009/01/privacy_campaign_real_problems.php Campaigns Campaigns Events News Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:53:55 -0500 letter to President-elect Barack Obama on the importance of protecting privacy in the next administration. The organizations are in favor the incoming president’s expressed support for privacy, consumer rights, and civil liberties. President-elect Obama stated support for strengthening of privacy protection by harnessing the power of technology to hold government and businesses accountable for violations of personal privacy. The coalition said that “[t]here is a clear need to address the spiraling problems of identity theft, security breaches, and the commercialization of personal information.” ]]> http://privacycoalition.org/2008/12/coalition_letter_to_presidente.php http://privacycoalition.org/2008/12/coalition_letter_to_presidente.php Actions News Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:07:50 -0500 Rod Beckstrom, Director of the National Cybersecurity Center in the Department of Homeland Security, spoke at the Privacy Coalition's November monthly meeting. Mr. Beckstrom was appointed in March of this year, and he reports directly to the Secretary. He is working on information sharing and collaboration among key federal government agencies. Cindy Rosenwald, New Hampshire State Representative, also presented at the meeting on a state prescription privacy law that she sponsored. http://privacycoalition.org/2008/12/november_privacy_coalition_mee.php http://privacycoalition.org/2008/12/november_privacy_coalition_mee.php News Speakers Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:51:17 -0500