News & Commentary

With LGBTQ+ rights under threat, MPD's use of surveillance technology without oversight could become a nightmare for our LGBTQ+ communities.

Here’s what we know and don’t know. One thing is clear: the Milwaukee community deserves transparency and control over how technology is being used.

A recent data leak has brought new information to light about secretive police surveillance technology being used in Milwaukee.

Blanket audio surveillance is legally problematic, susceptible to abuse, and should not become widespread.

We are excited to announce that the inaugural recipient of the Athan G. Theoharis Summer Internship Program is Sinyetta Hill.

Can elected officials block you on social media? We answer some frequently asked questions.

On Tuesday, December 1, the ACLU sent a letter to the Madison Common Council urging them to ban the use of facial recognition technology, which is highly-invasive and prone to racial bias. Later that evening, they voted in favor of the ban. Read the letter below. 

On April 1, 2015 Wisconsin dramatically expanded its grounds allowing law enforcement agencies to take Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) samples from people.  Those arrested for violent felonies once probable cause is established, or convicted of a misdemeanor crime committed after April 1, will have to submit a DNA sample.   Previously, Wisconsin took approximately 12,000 DNA samples from persons convicted of certain felonies.  Under the new scheme it is estimated there will be 25,000 additional DNA samples taken for violent felonies and 40,000 additional samples taken after misdemeanor convictions.   The ACLU acknowledges that there are legitimate purposes for forensic DNA.  Numerous pri

Ben Wizner is the Director of ACLU’s Speech, Privacy & Technology Project, which is dedicated to protecting and expanding the First Amendment freedoms of expression, association, and inquiry; expanding the right to privacy and increasing the control that individuals have over their personal information; and ensuring that civil liberties are enhanced rather than compromised by new advances in science and technology. He has litigated numerous cases involving post-9/11 civil liberties abuses, including challenges to airport security policies, government watchlists, extraordinary rendition, and torture. He has appeared regularly in the media, testified before Congress, and traveled several times to Guantanamo Bay to monitor military commission proceedings.