News & Commentary
Dec 16, 2013
Judge Rules NSA Surveillance An “Arbitrary Invasion” Of Privacy
We received very good news today out of Washington when a federal judge ruled that the National Security Agency’s phone collection program is likely unconstitutional. Although the ruling is stayed pending appeal, the message from the bench was clear and we’re hopeful this is a sign of even bigger things to come in the legal fight over mass government surveillance.
Dec 13, 2013
This Week in Civil Liberties: The Establishment Clause, Marriage Equality, and Privacy on the Internet
Each Friday, we’ll bring you updates on the latest civil liberties news from Maine and the nation.
Dec 12, 2013
If You Use A Cellphone Or The Internet, Read This
The incredible thing about the information provided by Edward Snowden is that it shows just how incredibly broad and deep the U.S. government's surveilance programs are. There has hardly been a week in the past six months in which we haven't learned new information about what the government has been doing with our private information.
Dec 10, 2013
Smarter Sentencing Act of 2013
Over the last forty years we have seen an 705% increase in the size of our prison population. With 2.3 million people behind bars, we are now the number one incarcerator in the world – followed by China with 1,640,000 and Russia with 618,600. Furthermore, we have an additional 6.9 million people under some sort of correctional supervision. With our prisons and jails overcrowded, our court systems clogged and corrections budgets soaring, our criminal justice system is maxed out - due largely to low level, non-violent drug offense that carry excessive sentences.
Dec 10, 2013
On Human Rights Day, Join us to Honor Mandela
December 10 marks Human Rights Day, an occasion to renew our individual and collective commitments to advancing civil and human rights for all people. This year, Human Rights Day coincides with a worldwide day of remembrance and celebration of the life of Nelson Mandela - an international beacon of human rights who passed away last week.
Dec 09, 2013
Cellphone Data Requests Surging
If you follow our blog then you know that Maine’s privacy laws are among the best in the country. Earlier this year we led the successful effort requiring law enforcement in Maine to get a warrant before accessing data created on or generated by your cellphone.
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