Congressional Hearing on Employment Verification
The House Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on employment verification. Several hearings have be held by the committee on the proposal to create a mandatory national government employment eligibility system. The current private sector system is voluntary.
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Homeland Security Releases Final REAL ID Rules
The Department of Homeland Security released the long awaited final rule on state issued drivers licenses and identification documents. The rule indicated that the new federal REAL ID will be used for a variety of purposes unrelated to the law that resulted in the federalization of state issued drivers licenses. If states do not comply with the agency rule the drivers’ licenses held by state residents will not be accepted for air travel or to access federal government buildings. As a cost saving measure the Department of Homeland Security decided not to require encryption of the digital data stored on the REAL ID. The Privacy Coalition led a major anti-REAL ID public education campaign. EPIC's page on REAL ID and the ACLU's analysis of the new agency rule..
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House Votes to Halt Digital Strip Searches
The 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.
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Computers Freedom and Privacy Annual Meeting
The 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.
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TSA Responds to Whole Body Imaging Objections
The 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.
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September 28 Privacy Coalition Meeting
The September 28, 2007 meeting of the Privacy Coalition featured presentations by David Gersten Director of the Department of Homeland Security's Civil Rights and Civil Libertieis Programs, Robert Mocny, Director of the Department of Homeland Security's US VISIT Program. The meeting also featured presentations by Susan Hunkler a privacy rights activist, Jim Harrision Director of the Identity Project, Lew Motby President, Work Rights Institute and a discussion on Fusion Centers.
View past meeting information...
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Legislation Archives
House Votes to Halt Digital Strip Searches
The 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.
Congress Gives Administration More Wiretap Power
Congress gives the White House expanded domestic spying and reduce judicial oversight, through amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The new authority given to the President by Congress will permit warrantless surveillance of American citizens when one party to the conversation may be outside of the United States. This change in the FISA law which already gave law enforcement and national intelligence agenies great latitude under a special court which exclusively heard these request for surveillance of non-citizens. This change in the FISA law will leave millions of Americans subject to electronic surveillance, without court review, regardless of whether they are suspected of any wrongdoing. However, the amendments will sunset in 180 days, which will provide an opportunity for further debate in Congress.
President Signs 9-11 Commission Bill into Law
President Bush signed into law the Implementing Recommendations
of the 9/11 Commissions Act of 2007. The law enacts many recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, including provisions that improve oversight for privacy and civil liberties.
S. 495 Personal Data Privacy and Security Act of 2007
A bill to prevent and mitigate identity theft, to ensure privacy, to provide notice of security breaches, and to enhance criminal penalties, law enforcement assistance, and other protections against security breaches, fraudulent access, and misuse of personally identifiable information. Sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (VT). Introduced 2/6/2007.
H.R. 2220
A bill to permit educational agencies and institutions to disclose certain information to parents of students who may pose a significant risk to their own safety or well-being, or to the safety or well-being of others. Sponsor: Rep. Tim Murphy [PA-18]; introduced 5/8/2007.
S. 1260
A bill to protect information relating to consumers, to require notice of security breaches, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen. Thomas Carper; introduced 5/1/07.
S. 1208 Social Security Account Number Protection Act
A bill to provide additional security and privacy protection for social security account numbers. Sponsor: Sen. Byron Dorgan [ND]; introduced 4/25/07.
S. 1202 Personal Data Protection Act of 2007
A bill to require agencies and persons in possession of computerized data containing sensitive personal information, to disclose security breaches where such breach poses a significant risk of identity theft. Sponsor: Sen Sessions, Jeff [AL] (introduced 4/24/2007)
S. 1178 Identity Theft Prevention Act
A bill to strengthen data protection and safeguards, require data breach notification, and further prevent identity theft. Sponsor: Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 4/20/2007)
H.R. 1967 Financial Privacy Notice Relief Act of 2007
A bill to amend the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to provide an exception from the continuing requirement for annual privacy notices for financial institutions which do not share personal information with affiliates, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Peter Roskam [IL-6]; introduced 4/19/07.
H.R. 936 Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act
A bill to prohibit fraudulent access to telephone records. Sponsor: Rep Dingell, John D. [MI-15] (introduced 2/8/2007)
H.R. 1 RFS Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007
A bill to provide for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. Sponsor: Rep Thompson, Bennie G. [MS-2] (introduced 1/5/2007)
H.R. 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007
A bill to provide for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. Sponsor: Rep Thompson, Bennie G. [MS-2] (introduced 1/5/2007)
H.R. 1358 Personalized Health Information Act of 2007
A bill to establish a program to provide financial incentives to encourage the adoption and use of interactive personal health records. Sponsor: Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] (introduced 3/7/2007)
S.Res. 22 Affirming the Privacy of Sealed Mail
A resolution reaffirming the constitutional and statutory protections accorded sealed domestic mail, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] (introduced 1/10/2007)
H.R. 128 David Shick Honesty in Campus Justice Act
A bill to amend the Federal Education Right to Privacy Act to improve the access of the victims of crimes to information concerning the outcome of disciplinary proceedings by institutions of higher education. Sponsor: Rep Frelinghuysen, Rodney P. [NJ-11] (introduced 1/4/2007)
HR 1117 REAL ID Repeal and Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007
A bill to repeal title II of the REAL ID Act of 2005, to reinstitute section 7212 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which provides States additional regulatory flexibility and funding authorization to more rapidly produce tamper- and counterfeit-resistant driver's licenses and to protect privacy and civil liberties by providing interested stakeholders on a negotiated rulemaking with guidance to achieve improved 21st century licenses to improve national security.
Sponsor: Rep Thomas H. Allen, [ME-1] (introduced 2/16/2007)
S. 717 Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007
A bill to repeal title II of the REAL ID Act of 2005, to restore section 7212 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which provides States additional regulatory flexibility and funding authorization to more rapidly produce tamper- and counterfeit-resistant driver's licenses, and to protect privacy and civil liberties by providing interested stakeholders on a negotiated rulemaking with guidance to achieve improved 21st century licenses to improve national security.
Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 2/28/2007)
H.Con. Res. 29: The Issue of Privacy and Military Funerals
A bill calling for the removal of all restrictions from the public, the press, and military families in mourning that would prohibit their presence at the arrival at military installations in the United States or overseas of the remains of the Nation's fallen heroes, the members of the Armed Forces who have died in Iraq or Afghanistan, with the assurance that family requests for privacy will be respected. Sponsor: Rep Charles B. Rangel, [NY-15] (introduced 1/10/2007)
S. 332 Power Act of 2007
This bill is intended to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to clarify the investigative authorities of the privacy officer of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Daniel K. Akaka, [HI] (introduced 1/18/2007)
S. 495 Personal Data Privacy and Security Act
This bill is intended to prevent and mitigate identity theft, to ensure privacy, to provide notice of security breaches, and to enhance criminal penalties, law enforcement assistance, and other protections against security breaches, fraudulent access, and misuse of personally identifiable information. Sponsor: Sen Patrick J. Leahy, [VT] (introduced 2/6/2007)
S.236 Federal Agency Data Mining Reporting Act of 2007
A bill to require reports to Congress on Federal agency use of data mining. The legislation would require the head of all federal government agencies that engage in data mining to make a report to Congress annually and that such reports would be made public, unless classified.
Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 1/10/2007)
S.4 Improving America's Security by Implementing Unfinished Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007
A bill to make the United States more secure by implementing unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to fight the war on terror more effectively, to improve homeland security, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Reid, Harry [NV] (introduced 1/4/2007).
H.R. 1117 REAL ID Repeal and Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007
A bill to repeal title II of the REAL ID Act of 2005, to reinstitute section 7212 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which provides States additional regulatory flexibility and funding authorization to more rapidly produce tamper- and counterfeit-resistant driver's licenses and to protect privacy and civil liberties by providing interested stakeholders on a negotiated rulemaking with guidance to achieve improved 21st century licenses to improve national security. Sponsor: Rep Allen, Thomas H. [ME-1] (introduced 2/16/2007)
H.R. 1652 Protection From Telemarketers Act
A bill to amend the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act to authorize the Federal Trade Commission to issue new rules to establish a requirement to prohibit any telemarketing calls during the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sponsor: Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] (introduced 3/22/2007)
H.R. 1656
A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to permit access to databases maintained by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for purposes of complying with sex offender registry and notification laws, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Ted Poe [TX-2]; introduced 3/22/07.
H.R. 1383 Quelling of Unwanted Intrusive and Excessive Telephone Calls Act of 2007
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties for the misuse of robocalls.
Sponsor: Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] (introduced 3/7/2007)
H.R. 1346 Student Privacy Protection Act of 2007
A bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct local educational agencies to release secondary school student information to military recruiters if the student's parent provides written consent for the release, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Michael Honda [CA-15]; introduced 3/6/07.
H.R. 1525 Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2007
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to discourage spyware, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] (introduced 3/14/2007)
H.R. 1368 Personalized Health Information Act of 2007
A bill to establish a program to provide financial incentives to encourage the adoption and use of interactive personal health records. Sponsor: Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] (introduced 3/7/2007)
S. 780 Protecting Consumer Phone Records Act
A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the unlawful acquisition and use of confidential customer proprietary network information, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Pryor, Mark L. [AR] (introduced 3/6/2007)
H.R. 1314 Photo Identification Security Act
A bill to provide that only certain forms of identification of individuals may be accepted by the Federal Government and by financial institutions.
Sponsor: Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] (introduced 3/5/2007)
H.R. 1307 Veterans Identity Protection Act (VIP Act)
A bill to establish the Office of Veterans Identity Protection Claims to reimburse injured persons for injuries suffered as a result of the unauthorized use, disclosure, or dissemination of identifying information stolen from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Heather Wilson [NM-1]; introduced 3/1/2007.
H.R. 1246 Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2007
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the readiness of the Armed Forces by replacing the current policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, referred to as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Sponsor: Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] (introduced 2/28/2007) Cosponsors (124)
S. 699 Social Security Number Fraud and Identity Theft Prevention Act
A bill to prevent the fraudulent use of social security account numbers by allowing the sharing of social security data among agencies of the United States for identity theft prevention and immigration enforcement purposes, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen. Allard Wayne [CO]; introduced 2/28/07.
S. 704 Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007
A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit manipulation of caller identification information. Sponsor: Sen. Bill Nelson [FL]; introduced 2/28/07.
H.R. 879 Verifying the Outcome of Tomorrow's Elections Act of 2007
A bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require individuals to present a government-issued photo identification as a condition of voting in elections for Federal office, to prohibit any individual from tabulating votes in an election for Federal office unless the individual has been subject to a criminal background check, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Tom Feeney [FL-24]; introduced 2/27/07.
H.R. 1117 REAL ID Repeal and Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007
A bill to repeal title II of the REAL ID Act of 2005, to reinstitute section 7212 of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, which provides States additional regulatory flexibility and funding authorization to more rapidly produce tamper- and counterfeit-resistant driver's licenses and to protect privacy and civil liberties by providing interested stakeholders on a negotiated rulemaking with guidance to achieve improved 21st century licenses to improve national security. Sponsor: Rep Allen, Thomas H. [ME-1] (introduced 2/16/2007).
H.R. 958 Data Accountability and Trust Act
A bill to protect consumers by requiring reasonable security policies and procedures to protect computerized data containing personal information, and to provide for nationwide notice in the event of a security breach. Sponsor: Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] (introduced 2/8/2007)
H.R. 964 Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act (SPY ACT)
A bill to protect users of the Internet from unknowing transmission of their personally identifiable information through spyware programs, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] (introduced 2/8/2007)
H.R. 948 Social Security Number Protection Act of 2007
A bill to strengthen the authority of the Federal Government to protect individuals from certain acts and practices in the sale and purchase of Social Security numbers and Social Security account numbers, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Edward Markey [MA-7]; introduced 2/8/2007.
H.R. 836 Cyber-Security Enhancement and Consumer Data Protection Act of 2007
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to better assure cyber-security, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Smith, Lamar [TX-21] (introduced 2/6/2007)
S. 332 POWER Act of 2007 (Privacy Officer With Enhanced Rights Act of 2007)
A bill to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to clarify the investigative authorities of the privacy officer of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] (introduced 1/18/2007)
H.R. 516 Federal Agency Data Privacy Protection Act
A bill to increase the security of sensitive data maintained by the Federal Government. Sponsor: Rep Davis, Jo Ann [VA-1] (introduced 1/17/2007)
S. 236 Federal Agency Data Mining Reporting Act of 2007
A bill to require reports to Congress on Federal agency use of data mining. Sponsor: Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] (introduced 1/10/2007)
S. 239 Notification of Risk to Personal Data Act
A bill to require Federal agencies, and persons engaged in interstate commerce, in possession of data containing sensitive personally identifiable information, to disclose any breach of such information. Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] (introduced 1/10/2007)
S. 238 Social Security Misuse Prevention Act
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to limit the misuse of Social Security numbers, to establish criminal penalties for such misuse, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne [CA] (introduced 1/10/2007)
H.R. 275 Global Online Freedom Act of 2007
A bill to promote freedom of expression on the Internet, to protect United States businesses from coercion to participate in repression by authoritarian foreign governments, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] (introduced 1/5/2007)
H.R. 1 Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act of 2007
A bill to provide for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. Sponsor: Rep Thompson, Bennie G. [MS-2] (introduced 1/5/2007)
H.R. 251 Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007
A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit manipulation of caller identification information, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Eliot Engel [NY-17]; introduced 1/5/2007.
H.R. 136 Identity Theft Notification Act of 2007
A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide that individuals and appropriate authorities are notified by the Commissioner of Social Security of evidence of misuse of the Social Security account numbers of such individuals. Sponsor: Rep Gallegly, Elton [CA-24] (introduced 1/4/2007)
H.R. 11 NSA Oversight Act
A bill to reiterate that chapters 119 and 121 of title 18, United States Code, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 are the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] (introduced 1/4/2007)
S. 92 Protecting Consumer Phone Records Act
A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the unlawful acquisition and use of confidential customer proprietary network information, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Sen Stevens, Ted [AK] (introduced 1/4/2007)
