EPIC - Electronic Privacy Information Center

House Leaders Call for End to Collection of State Voter Records

House leaders have called for an end to the collection of state voter records, citing the fact that the Presidential Commission on Election Integrity has suspended the collection of state voter data in response to EPIC's lawsuit. The leaders said that "any temporary halt is sufficient." EPIC's case is pending.

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EPIC Launches "51 Reasons - Protect Voter Data"

EPIC has established a new web site in response to the request from the Presidential Commission on Election Integrity for state voter records. "51 Reasons to End the Collection of State Voter Records by the Presidential Election Commision" includes comments from state election officials, specialists in election integrity, news organizations, voters, and public officials across the country.

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EPIC Lawsuit Blocks Collection of State Voter Data by Commission

The President's Election Commission has announced it has suspended the collection of state voter data in response to EPIC's lawsuit. The Commission told states "not to submit any data until this Court rules” on EPIC's motion.

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In Voter Privacy Case, EPIC Files for Temporary Restraining Order

EPIC has filed for a Temporary Restraining Order to block a demand from a Presidential Commission for millions of state voter records. In papers filed in federal district court in Washington, D.C., EPIC explained that the Commission failed to produce and publish a Privacy Impact Assessment, required by Federal law. EPIC also charged that the Commission’s demand for detailed voter histories violated the Constitutional right to privacy.

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In Voter Privacy Case, EPIC Files for Temporary Restraining Order

EPIC has filed for a Temporary Restraining Order to block a demand from a Presidential Commission for millions of state voter records. In papers filed in federal district court in Washington, D.C., EPIC explained that the Commission failed to produce and publish a Privacy Impact Assessment, required by Federal law. EPIC also charged that the Commission’s demand for detailed voter histories violated the Constitutional right to privacy.

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EPIC 2017

EPIC is on the front lines of the major privacy and civil liberties debates. In 2017, EPIC has important work to do on algorithmic transparency, student privacy, and government surveillace, among many other issues. Please donate to EPIC today to help us continue this important work.

Defend Privacy. Support EPIC. »
Defend Privacy. Support EPIC.

EPIC is on the front lines of the major privacy and civil liberties debates. In 2017, EPIC has important work to do on protecting democratic institutions, algorithmic transparency, and government surveillace, among many other issues. Please donate to EPIC today to help us continue this important work.

Defend Privacy. Support EPIC. »

Top News

Report Shows Increase in Open Government Lawsuits, EPIC Among Nation's Leading FOIA Litigators

A new report from the FOIA Project shows a "dramatic rise" in the number Freedom of Information Act lawsuits filed by nonprofit and advocacy groups. According to TRAC, these organizations now account for more FOIA suits than "any other single class." EPIC was the fifth most frequent litigator among nonprofit and advocacy groups nationwide. In 2017, EPIC has filed five FOIA lawsuits. EPIC is currently litigating EPIC v. ODNI, EPIC v. FBI, and EPIC v. IRS, three of the leading open government cases concerning Russian interference with the 2016 Presidential election. Last week, EPIC filed a new FOIA lawsuit against Customs and Border Protection for information about the agency's deployment of a biometric entry/exit tracking system, including at US airports. For more information about EPIC's latest open government work, visit: https://epic.org/open_gov/.

July 27, 2017 | Share:

EPIC Urges Congress to Focus on FCC and Privacy

EPIC has sent a statement to the House Commerce Committee for a hearing on the Federal Communications Commission. EPIC urged the Committee to affirm the FCC's role in protecting online privacy. EPIC also asked the Committee to press the nominees to repeal a FCC regulation that requires the retention of telephone customer records for 18 months. EPIC filed a petition urging the repeal of this mandate more than two years ago and the FCC recently docketed the petition for public comment. Every comment received by the FCC favored the EPIC petition to end the data retention mandate. EPIC has submitted multiple comments to the FCC for strong online privacy protections.

July 27, 2017 | Share:

EPIC Opposes Commission's Renewed Request for Voter Data

EPIC has sent an Advisory to state election officials, urging opposition to the renewed request for state voter data. The EPIC Advisory follows a letter from the Presidential Election Commission to state election officials. Following EPIC’s lawsuit, seeking a temporary restraining order, the Commission suspended collection of the data. The court ruled on the TRO motion, which EPIC has now appealed. The recent letter falsely claims that the Commission is only seeking “publicly available information.” In fact, the Commission’s June 28 letter called for the release of social security numbers, criminal records, military statuses, and other personal information protected by state laws. California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, and many state election officials, have reaffirmed their opposition to the Commission's effort to gather state voter data.

July 27, 2017 | Share: