12 Commonsense Safeguards
That our city officials need to adopt to protect you and your loved ones from pervasive surveillance
1. Felony-based searches only
Officers must list the law being violated, provide a case number, and explain the suspicion tied to a specific vehicle or plate. Limit use only to suspected felonies.
2. Warrants required (few exceptions)
A warrant should be required for searches. Warrant exceptions: imminent threats to life, hot pursuit of a violent suspect. All non-warrant searches should be logged and flagged.
3. Prohibit facial or biometric recognition
The use of technology that identifies individuals by their face, body, etc., should be prohibited.
4. Prohibit pattern-of-life tracking and vehicle fingerprint
Tracking or reconstructing where a vehicle has been over time without a warrant and searching for a vehicle based on bumper stickers should be prohibited.
5. Strong encryption and security
Data should be encrypted in transit and at rest. HSM-managed keys, secure boot, and tamper- evident logs should be required.
6. Independent audits twice a year
An independent, outside auditor should review 10% of searches and all no-warrant searches. Reports should be made public within 90 days.
7. Transparency and consequences
Violations and corrective actions should be publicly reported. Rules and penalties for misuse should be published.
8. Annual Security Review
An independent, cybersecurity team should review the system every year for vulnerabilities. Finding should be published within 90 days.
9. Our data, our control
All data should be stored in county-centered, CJIS- compliant systems. Vendors should not own, access, or sell the data.
10. Delete data quickly
Images and related data should be deleted within 3mins unless tied to an active investigation that meets all other rules and applicable state law.
11. Limited sharing, full accountability
Outside agencies wanting to access data must sign an agreement with equal or stronger standards. A monthly list of organizations that access the data and summary statistics should be published
12. Local crimes, local searches
Warrants should specify how far officers are allowed to search.
Feel free to print and present these safeguards to your representatives!
