Privacy Law

San Francisco supervisors vote to ban facial recognition technology by city agencies

San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors voted 8-1 on Tuesday to ban the use of facial recognition software by police and city agencies. One more vote, considered a formality, will be taken before the ordinance moves to the mayor for a signature. The San Francisco Chronicle, the New York Times and…

May 15, 2019 9:20 AM CDT

In first major appearance since confirmation, Kavanaugh stresses civility and independence

When U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh is drafting opinions and asking oral argument questions, he often asks himself, “What would Justice Kennedy do?” Kavanaugh appeared with retired Justice Anthony M. Kennedy on Monday in the new justice’s first major appearance since a confirmation battle marked by accusations of sexual assault—allegations strongly denied by Kavanaugh.

May 8, 2019 12:22 PM CDT

Longest-serving black federal judge, known for civil rights and wiretapping rulings, dies at 96

Updated: U.S. Circuit Judge Damon Keith, known for his decisions on wiretapping and civil rights, has died at age 96. The Detroit Free Press identifies Keith as “the longest-serving black judge in the nation.” The New York Times and the Detroit News also have obituaries. Keith was appointed to the…

Apr 29, 2019 10:57 AM CDT

WikiLeaks’ Assange arrested after asylum revoked; US charges him with conspiracy

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was arrested by British police Thursday after Ecuador revoked his asylum for “discourteous and aggressive behavior” and meddling in the internal affairs of other countries.

Apr 11, 2019 11:19 AM CDT

AG Barr says he will review ‘spying’ on Trump campaign and origins of the Russia investigation

Updated: U.S. Attorney General William Barr told lawmakers Wednesday that he plans to assemble a team to help him review the conduct of intelligence agencies with regard to the Trump campaign.

Apr 10, 2019 12:37 PM CDT

GPS ankle monitors can call and record people without consent; do they violate 5th Amendment?

Updated: GPS electronic monitoring devices made by a company called the Track Group can call and record people who are required to wear the ankle monitors because they are on probation or awaiting trial.

Apr 9, 2019 11:39 AM CDT

DC Circuit bars release of grand jury materials to author; are there implications for Mueller report?

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled Friday that judges don’t have inherent authority to order the release of grand jury information that is protected by secrecy rules.

Apr 8, 2019 11:23 AM CDT

Dutch doctor’s abortion-drug prescription service faces legal landmines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating a mail-order abortion-drug practice, and abortion foes are vowing to fight back with federal legislation.

Apr 1, 2019 1:45 AM CDT

Court considers whether inquiry about citizenship belongs on the U.S. census

On April 23, the U.S. Supreme Court will take up a case that should resolve the issue. The justices will hear an appeal brought by the Trump administration of a federal district judge’s ruling that invalidated U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross’ 2018 decision to add a citizenship question to the next census.

Apr 1, 2019 1:35 AM CDT

Under AG Barr, phone surveillance program began in ‘92 without legal review, IG finds

There is no evidence that the U.S. Department of Justice ever fully addressed legal questions surrounding the bulk collection of phone records in 1992 by the Drug Enforcement Administration, according to a report from the Office of the Inspector General released Thursday.

Mar 28, 2019 5:04 PM CDT

SCOTUS requires standing review of case challenging cy pres awards to groups rather than plaintiffs

Only Justice Clarence Thomas offered an opinion on the merits Wednesday in a case that challenges cy pres awards that give class-action awards to nonparty nonprofit groups rather than the plaintiffs.

Mar 20, 2019 10:55 AM CDT

Compelled-password decision is ‘death knell’ for Fifth Amendment, state justice argues

A defendant can be compelled to enter a password to his cellphone as long as prosecutors prove just one thing, Massachusetts’ top court has ruled. Prosecutors must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant knows the password, according to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Prosecutors met that burden in…

Mar 11, 2019 2:10 PM CDT

Want to fly a drone? You have to play by the rules

The first full day of ABA Techshow 2019 kicked off with a buzz as a small, black multi-propellered flying object zipped through a ballroom at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago.

Feb 28, 2019 11:45 AM CST

Facial recognition scanning goes mainstream

The use of facial recognition scanning, already a given in law enforcement, is spreading deeply into the U.S. private sector. And business-to-business research firms predict the facial recognition industry will grow.

Feb 22, 2019 7:00 AM CST

Federal appeals court allows release of grand jury records in 1946 lynching

A federal appeals court on Monday upheld the release of grand jury records in the 1946 lynching of two black couples in Georgia. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Atlanta ruled 2-1 that the records may be released to historian Anthony Pitch, who wrote a 2016 book on…

Feb 13, 2019 9:19 AM CST