Kathleen Haughney reports: Thousands of the state’s poorest Floridians will have to take a drug test if they want to qualify for welfare assistance, under a law signed by Gov. Rick Scott Monday. The idea, plugged by Scott and the GOP-dominated Legislature, is that drug tests will root out welfare recipients who are using public…
Category: Laws
Unmasking “Secret Law”: New Demand for Answers About the Government’s Hidden Take on the Patriot Act
As I hoped, the ACLU has filed a FOIA request about the “secret” interpretation of the PATRIOT Act that Senators Wyden and Udall referred to during the renewal debate in Congress: In the days before last week’s Patriot Act reauthorization vote, members of the Senate Intelligence Committee raised concerns — see here and here —…
More States Allow Warrantless Cell Searches
Amy Gahran reports: Think about all the data — photos, videos, text messages, calendar items, apps, call log, voice mail, and e-mail — on your cell phone right now. If you’re arrested, could the police search your cell phone? And would they need a warrant? That depends on which state you’re in. In California, it…
European Data Protection Supervisor criticizes Data Retention Directive
Nathalie Vandystadt reports: The European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) – the EU’s advisory body – stated, on 31 May, its view that the EU’s controversial Data Retention Directive “does not meet the requirements imposed by the fundamental rights to privacy and data protection”. The 2006 directive requires all providers of electronic communication services to store…