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Privacy Hearings

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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Privacy Rulemaking

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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Privacy Legislation

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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DC Privacy Events

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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Campaigns

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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Coalition Meetings

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.

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Speakers Archives

German Data Protection Commissioner Meets with Privacy Coalition

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.

November Privacy Coalition Meeting

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.

FTC Chair Speaks with Privacy Coalition at June Meeting

William Kovacic, Chair of the Federal Trade Commission, participated in the Privacy Coalition's June 2008 meeting. Emily Andrew, Chief Privacy Officer with the US Postal Service also met with the coalition at the same meeting.

Guest Speaker Chair of the Election Assistance Commission

Rosemary Rodriguez, the Chair of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) met with the Privacy Coalition to talk about transparency and privacy in public elections. The chair of the EAC spoke at the April meeting of the Privacy Coalition.

Stuart Shapiro

In March 2008, the Privacy Coalition heard from the Mitre organization on its work and privacy.

John Verdi

In February 2008, the Privacy Coalition received a briefing on legislation in the State of Virginia, which would block the application of state FOIA and privacy protection laws to Information Fusion Centers. In an effort to gain insight in the work of the Virginia Information Fusion Center the Electronic Privacy Information Center is seeking to further public dialogue on the work of federal and state law enforcement agencies in this area.

Robert Gellman

In February 2008, the Privacy Coalition received a briefing on a new report by the World Privacy Forum on Personal Health Records.

Gail Hillebrand

In February 2008, Consumers Union provided a briefing on the FTC/banking regulators under Section 312 of FACTA, which had a recent comment period close.

Robert Ellis Smith

In February 2008, the Privacy Coalition heard from the Privacy Journal on the publication of a "Compilation of State and Federal Privacy Laws 2008 Supplement.

Lisa Graves

In February 2008, the Privacy Coalition heard from the Center for National Security Studies on the status of FISA Reform Legislation.

Lee Tien

In February 2008, the Privacy Coalition received an update on the FISA Court Case by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

2007 Annual Meeting: Privacy Agenda 08

January 24-26, 2008 marked the 14th Annual Meeting of the Privacy Coalition. The meeting took place in Washington, DC and featured participation by privacy, consumer rights, civil liberties, and civil rights organizations.

Tom DeWeese

In December 2007, the Privacy Coalition received an update on the SAVE Act and the Privacy of Birth Records. The legislation if passed would require that all birth records be digital to facilitate data sharing of breeder records.

Toby Levin

In December 2007, the Privacy Coalition received a briefing on the Department of Homeland Security's plans to host a 2 day discussion on CCTV deployment for law enforcement purposes.

Chris Kelly

In December 2007, the Privacy Coalition heard from Facebook on its Beacon Application, which would disclose online purchases by users to their network of friends.

Alan Davidson

In October 2007, the Privacy Coalition heard from Google on its proposed merger with Double-Click and Privacy.

Tyler Moran

In September, the Privacy Coalition heard from the Employment Policy Director for the National Immigration Law Center, on the topic of employment verification and the Department of Homeland Security. The agency was seeking to direct the Social Security Administration in its use of "No Match Letters."

Mike German

In July 2007, at the regular monthly meeting of the Privacy Coalition, heard a tutorial on Information Fusion Centers

Bruce Fein

In June 2007, at the regular monthly meeting of the Privacy Coalition, the Founder of the American Freedom Agenda spoke on the need to re-establish the balance of power among the three branches of US government.

Robert Cresanti

In March 2007, Under Secretary of Technology & Chief Privacy Officer for the Department of Commerce spoke at the regular monthly meeting of the Privacy Coalition.

Peter Schaar, Chairman of the Article 29 Meets with Privacy Coalition

Peter Schaar, Chairman of the Article 29 Working Party meet with the Privacy Coalition on Friday, October 19, 2007 from Noon-2:00 PM at EPIC's offices located at 1718 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC. In addition to chairing the Article 29 Working Group, Mr. Schaar is also the Federal Data Protection Commissioner and the Federal Commissioner for Freedom of Information for Germany. He is leading expert on European privacy law and a frequent keynote speaker at international conferences.

Robert Mocny

Director of US VISIT for the Department of Homeland Security spoke to the Privacy Coalition on September 28, 2007 about his program and privacy matters.

David Gersten

Director of the Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Programs for the Department of Homeland Security spoke with the Privacy Coalition on September 28, 2007 about the development of DHS Civil Liberties Impact Assessment process.

Deborah Majoras, Chair, Federal Trade Commission

Deborah Majoras, Chair, Federal Trade Commission spoke to the Privacy Coalition during its regular April 2005 meeting.

Doug Curling, President ChoicePoint

Doug Curling, President ChoicePoint spoke to the December 2006 regular meeting of the Privacy Coalition.

Peter Pietra, DHS Transportation Security Administration

Peter Pietra, Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration spoke to the March 2007 regular monthly meeting of the Privacy Coalition.

Hugo Teufel, Department of Homeland Security

Hugo Teufel, Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security spoke to the November 2006 regular montly meeting of the Privacy Coalition about the role his office fills at the agency.

Alexander Joel, Office of the Director of National Intelligence

Alexander Joel, Civil Liberties Protection Officer, Office of the Director of National Intelligence spoke to the Privacy Coalition at its July 2006 regular monthly meeting about the work of his office in advising the Director of National Intelligence.

Charles Raul, Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board

Charles Raul, Vice Chair, Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board met with the Privacy Coalition at its July 2006 regular monthly meeting to discuss the work of the Board. He was joined by Mark A. Robbins the Board's Executive Director.

Jane Horvath, US Department of Justice

Jane Horvath, Chief Privacy and Civil Liberties Officer, with the Department of Justice spoke at the May 2006 regular monthly meeting of the Privacy Coalition.

Dale Underwood, Department of the Treasury

Dale Underwood is in charge of the Office of the Privacy Act Officer for the Department of the Treasury. He spoke to the March 2006 monthly meeting of the Privacy Coalition about the work of his office to support his agency's efforts to enforce the Federal Privacy Act.

James Bamford, Author

James Bamford was the luncheon speaker for the 2006 Annual meeting of the Privacy Coalition. He is an author and journalist, and one of the leading experts on the US intelligence agencies. His 1982 best seller "The Puzzle Palace" was the first book to describe the inner workings of the National Security Agency. His subsequent books "Body of Secrets" (2001) and "A Pretext for War" (2004) have received widespread acclaim. Throughout his career, Mr. Bamford has made effective use of the Freedom of Information Act. He was formerly Washington Investigative Producer for ABC's World News Tonight. He is also a member of the EPIC Advisory Board.

Robert O'Harrow, Author

Journalist Robert O'Harrow spoke at the 2005 Annual meeting of the Privacy Coalition about his work as a Washington Post reporter and author. His first book, No Place to Hide, is a Washington insider's exposé of how the fast-developing data collection, analysis, and identification technologies first developed for the marketing industry are increasingly used for law enforcement purposes since 9/11.

John Liebowitz, Federal Trade Commissioner

The Honorable John Liebowitz address the January 2005 Annual meeting of the Privacy Coalition. The Federal Trade Commission is headed by five Commissioners, nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate, each serving a seven-year term.

Congressman Barney Frank

Congressman Barney Frank addressed the January 2005 Annual meeting of the Privacy Coalition.