The proposed amendment to prohibit federal highway fund recipients from using Flock and other automated license plate readers (ALPRs) for any purpose except tolling failed 20-44 yesterday. The good news is that legislators from both parties acknowledged the abuses of ALPRs, and most agreed on the need for some regulation. And to be honest, 20 … Read more
In A Bipartisan Amendment Would End Police License Plate Tracking Nationwide, Dell Cameron reports for Wired: US lawmakers plan to introduce an amendment Thursday at a House committee markup hearing that would prohibit any recipient of federal highway funding from using automated license plate readers for any purpose other than tolling—a sweeping restriction that, if … Read more
Congress is once again voting on whether to reauthorize FISA Section 702’s warrantless surveillance — and potentially introduce reforms. Get FISA Right’s FISA Reauth state of play: new “deadline” April 30 is an overview of the complex political situation, with a dozen Republicans pushing back against attempts by Speaker Johnson and the Trump administration to … Read more
The Senate voted 39-10 to concur with the House’s weak version of SB 6002, regulating Flock and other ALPRs. It’s a very disappointing result. As Rep. Brianna Thomas said on the House floor Establishing any framework at this point for retention, access, and sharing is indeed a step forward. That said, the bill doesn’t meet … Read more
The Washington state legislative session ends on Thursday March 12 and it’s been even more intense than usual. Right now the discussions around SB 6002, the Driver Privacy Act regulating Flock and other ALPRs are the most intense. Sen. Trudeau’s original bill was a “compromise”, which advocates said was too weak to protect Washingtonians — … Read more
My oh my … the Washington state legislative session started on January 12 and immediately shifted into ultra-high gear — we’ve already testified at multiple hearings. Social networks are the best way to keep up with what we’re up to. We’re on Blacksky at @wa-privacy.net; you can also follow from Bluesky For Mastodon (or compatible software … Read more
Friday February 28 was the “fiscal cutoff”: any bills in the House not approved by the Appropriations committee are dead for the session. Alas, Appropriations never called a hearing or scheduled a vote on either of the bills we were supporting, so they’re both dead. If you came to this page because you clicked on … Read more
The People’s Privacy Act has passed its first hurdle … so noow’s a good time time to tell your legislators to STRENGTHEN and PASS the People’s Privacy Act. Here’s how to do it via email, phone, or the web form on the legislature’s site.
We’d love to hear from you whether or not you’re in Washington state, and whether or not you’ve been involved in our activism!
If you’re one of the millions of people who have decided to get away from corporate social networks controlled by big tech companies that make money by exploiting your data, here’s how you can follow Washington Privacy Organizers On Bluesky: @wa-privacy.net On the fediverse: @waprivacy@pnw.zone