Privacy
Court Cases
In court cases for five decades, the R.I. ACLU has vigorously fought to protect the right to privacy, including medical and sexual privacy.
Legislation
For the 2010 session, the ACLU is sponsoring several bills to protect privacy, including privacy from red-light cameras and political surveillance, and the privacy of social security numbers and the medical screenings of newborns.
In 2009, several bills dealing with privacy and medical privacy were up, including ones regarding Radio Frequency ID tags, political surveillance, HIV testing and medical marijuana.
In 2008, privacy from RFID, red light cameras and police raids on "indecent exposure, as well as several issues relating to medical privacy were concerns at the State House.
Privacy in the News
November 14, 2011 - ACLU Offers Free Booklet on Workplace Privacy Rights
November 9, 2011 - ACLU Issues Statement on Police Use of Infrared Technology in Burnside Park
October 7, 2011 - ACLU Raises Privacy Concerns Over Providence License Plate Scanning Plan
August 3, 2011 - RI ACLU Seeks Details on Phone Tracking of Rhode Islanders by State and Providence Police
June 29, 2010 - ACLU Sues Health Department Over Failure to Adopt Rules Protecting Patient Privacy
May 11, 2010 - ACLU Settles Suit Against Johnston Over Unlawful Release of Driver's License Information
December 4, 2009 - ACLU Sues Town of Johnston for Unlawful Release of Driver’s License Information to Public Official
December 1, 2009 - ACLU Questions Surgery Videotape Requirement Imposed by Health Department
August 6, 2009 - Groups Express Support for Hospital’s Decision to Protect Patient Confidentiality
June 11, 2008 -- ACLU Issues Report Opposing Continued Use of "Red Light Cameras"
March 13, 2008 -- DMV Withdraws Social Security Card Demand
February 14, 2008 -- ACLU Sues DMV Over Social Security Card Demand
January 14, 2008 -- ACLU Criticizes Attorney General For Defending Phone Companies Over Consumers in Privacy Battle
January 22, 2007 -- ACLU Objects to Intrusive Licensing Forms Proposed by Department of Business Regulations
June 19, 2006 -- Phone Companies Plead "National Security" in Response to RI ACLU Complaint About Record-Sharing With Federal Spy Agency
May 24, 2006 -- RI ACLU Files Complaint About Phone Companies' Cooperation With Federal Spy Agency
January 12, 2006 -- Documents Show that DMV Expects New Driver's License Law to Cost R.I. Taxpayers More than $20 Million
August 31, 2005 -- Students' Rights to Withhold Information from Military Recruiters Not Being Adequately Protected, ACLU Survey Finds
May 18, 2005 -- Rhode Island ACLU Files Request to Uncover Spy Documents After National ACLU Exposes FBI and Police Spying on Political Groups
January 5, 2005 -- ACLU Urges Governor Not to Revisit Unconstitutional Roadblocks
October 21, 2004 -- ACLU Condemns Proposed Searches of Voters at Polling Booth
August 9, 2004 -- National ACLU Targets CVS in Privacy Campaign; New Report Shows Government Using Businesses to Collect Personal Data
Providence, RI 02903