In comments to the FBI, EPIC criticized a proposed "Insider Threat" database that would gather virtually unlimited amounts of personal data outside the protections of the federal Privacy Act. EPIC urged the FBI to limit the scope of data collection and drop proposed Privacy Act exemptions. Citing the recent surge in government data breaches, including the breach of 21.5 m records at OPM, EPIC warned that FBI data practices pose a risk to federal employees. EPIC has consistently warned against inaccurate, insecure, and overbroad government databases. Earlier this year, EPIC filed comments with DOD and DHS regarding similarly flawed proposals to expand data collection without adequate privacy safeguards.
Speaking at the 38th International Conference of the Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners in Marrakech, EPIC President Marc Rotenberg highlighted EPIC's recent work on algorithmic transparency and also proposed two amendments to Asimov's Rules of Robotics. Rotenberg cautioned that autonomous devices, such as drones, were gaining the rights of privacy - control over identity and secrecy of thought - that should be available only for people. Rotenberg also highlighted EPIC's recent publication "Privacy in the Modern Age", the Data Protection 2016 campaign, and the various publications available at the EPIC Bookstore. The 2017 Privacy Commissioners conference will be held in Hong Kong.
The federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. heard oral arguments Wednesday in a case with major implications for telephone privacy. The suit, ACA International v. FCC, was brought against the Federal Communications Commission by telemarketing companies and others challenging rules adopted under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act that prohibit automated calls made to cell phones without their consent. EPIC and six consumer privacy groups filed an amicus brief in the case, stressing the importance of privacy protections for cell phone users. EPIC also challenged a claim made by the telemarketers that "37 million" numbers were reassigned each year, making it difficult, the companies claimed, to comply with the privacy law. During the argument, one of the judges pressed the telemarketers' attorney on the point (audio), citing research in the EPIC amicus brief. EPIC frequently participates as amicus curiae in cases that raises novel privacy issues.
