Privacy & Technology

We continue to work diligently to protect our right to privacy, limit government intrusion into our lives, and increase the control we have over our personal information.

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“The right to be left alone,” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis noted more than 100 years ago, is a basic human right. Unfortunately, digital technology makes it easier for governments and corporations to learn the minutiae of our private lives, and this information gives them tremendous power over us. Today, the ACLU of RI continues to work diligently to protect our right to privacy, limit government intrusion into our lives, and increase the control we have over our personal information.

Campaign
May 2026
Yellow background with gradient of blue Flock cameras.

ALPR Cameras 101: Surveillance in Rhode Island

Flock Safety brand automated license plate reader cameras are capable of much more than just reading license plates. Learn more about their...

The Latest

News & Commentary
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Child Advocate Seeks to Block Federal Government Subpoena for Private Medical Records of Minors

Subpoena called an “unprecedented intrusion” into private medical information of children
News & Commentary
Light purple and dark blue graphic with a photo of people in voting booths with USA flags on the outside, and a photo of a RI voter registration form.

Judge blocks Trump Administration's Attempt to Access Rhode Islanders' Data

“There is no reason the Department of Justice needs this extremely sensitive data other than for questionable, potentially unlawful, and almost certainly privacy-invasive purposes.”
Know Your Rights
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Rhode Island Homeless Bill of Rights

“No person’s rights, privileges, or access to public services may be denied or abridged solely because he or she is homeless. Such a person shall be granted the same rights and privileges as any other resident of this state.”
News & Commentary
Bright pink graphic with a dark pink and light blue image of a person texting on a smart phone, and a white and dark blue image of the Rhode Island State House.

Companies are using data about where we go and what we do online to infer our health care decisions. Here’s why you should take action. 

Nobody should be afraid of seeking essential health care because they’re afraid of being tracked or surveilled.
Court Case
May 04, 2026

Administrative Subpoena – Private Medical Records of Minors

Attorneys for the Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island (LCRI) and the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island (ACLU) filed an emergency motion to quash a subpoena issued by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking the sensitive private medical records of minor patients who have received medical treatment for gender dysphoria at Rhode Island Hospital. Case name: In the Matter of Administrative Subpoena 25-1431-032 Civil action number: 4:26-MC-00006-O
Court Case
Dec 09, 2025

United States of America v. Gregg M. Amore

Alongside the National ACLU, we intervened in a lawsuit to prevent the Department of Justice from obtaining sensitive, non-public information contained in the Rhode Island state voter file on behalf of Common Cause.
Court Case
Oct 23, 2024

ACLU of Rhode Island v. Salisbury Jr.

Court Case
Dec 04, 2023

LeBlanc v. City of Pawtucket

A federal lawsuit against Pawtucket city officials on behalf of five firefighters whose personal lockers at the fire station were searched by police without their knowledge or consent.