Posts tagged privacy
ACLU opposes drug testing for TANF recipients
8.17.11
In response to an editorial alleging the ACLU of Oklahoma would oppose any measure mandating drug testing for TANF recipients (Daily Oklahoman, August 11) the ACLU of Oklahoma responded with the following:
The Oklahoman is correct. The ACLU of Oklahoma is closely monitoring the progress of any bill that would require drug testing as a condition for welfare benefits. The proposed policy is scientifically, fiscally and constitutionally unsound. It is offensive to assume that those receiving benefits use drugs at a higher rate than other individuals. If we are going to drug test TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) applicants, then we need to test every person who receives a benefit from the state — parents of children who receive Medicaid, students who receive educational grants or loans, state legislators and CEOs who receive state tax credits. Random drug testing has proved to be ineffective in identifying drug abusers. A study in Oklahoma found that a questionnaire accurately detected 94 out of 100 drug abusers. The cost of a drug testing program should also be a deterrent. The average cost of a drug test is about $42 per person, not including the costs administering the test, ensuring confidentiality, and running confirmatory More >
Are you being tracked?
8.3.11
ACLU Seeks Details on Government Phone Tracking in Massive Nationwide Information Request
Campaign is One of the Largest Coordinated Information Act Requests in American History
In a massive coordinated information-seeking campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, along with 33 other affiliates across the nation today are sending over 379 requests to local law enforcement agencies large and small demanding to know when, why and how they are using cell phone location data to track Americans. The campaign is one of the largest coordinated information act requests in American history. The requests, being filed under Oklahoma’s freedom of information laws, are an effort to strip away the secrecy that has surrounded law enforcement use of cell phone tracking capabilities.
“The ability to access cell phone location data is an incredibly powerful tool and its use is shrouded in secrecy. The public has a right to know how and under what circumstances their location information is being accessed by the government,” said Catherine Crump, staff attorney for the ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology Project. “A detailed history of someone’s movements is extremely personal and is the kind of information the Constitution protects.”
Law enforcement agencies are being asked for information including:
- whether law enforcement agents More >
