Congestion Privacy

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View this email in your browser For Immediate Release S.T.O.P., N.Y.U Law School Release “Congestion Privacy” Report on Privacy Impact of NYC Congestion Pricing.   [NEW YORK, NY, 1/15/2020] -- Today, the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.), a New York-based privacy group, and the Engelberg Center on Innovation Law & Policy at New York University School of Law, released their “Congestion Privacy” report on the privacy impact of New York City’s congestion pricing system.  Congestion pricing, which was approved by New York lawmakers in 2019 and remains in development, will charge a fee for driving personal vehicles into portions of Manhattan.   The whitepaper reviews MTA documents and contractor proposals that suggest the MTA may implement tracking systems that create a perpetual log of every vehicle, driver, and passenger entering the congestion zone. The paper analyzes the impact the potential for misuse of that information by law enforcement, hackers, and immigration officials.   Congestion Privacy Summary https://www.stopspying.org/congestion-privacy   Full Congestion Privacy Report https://www.stopspying.org/s/Congestion-Privacy-White-Paper-STOP-NYU-Final-58lb.pdf   “New Yorkers shouldn’t have to choose between curbing traffic and protecting the public’s privacy,” said Surveillance Technology Oversight Project Executive Director Albert Fox Cahn. “Other cities have shown how the MTA can roll-out congestion pricing and also protect New Yorkers’ rights. This is a very simple toll, but the MTA is considering alarmingly elaborate tracking tools. When we collect more information than we need to impose the congestion toll, we potentially put everyone at risk. The solution is simple: the MTA must limit the data it collections on commuters.”   Last week, S.T.O.P. sued the MTA in connection with its alleged use of facial recognition in the Times Square Subway station. The lawsuit challenged the MTA for failing to provide documents in response to a request under New York’s Freedom of Information Law.   Privacy group sues MTA over alleged ‘spy tools’ installed at Times Square subway station https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-lawsuit-privacy-mta-facial-recognition-20200107-obfc5kklz5elfbs3es4e6zgqtu-story.html   Anti-Surveillance Advocates Sue MTA Over Alleged Use Of Facial Recognition Technology https://gothamist.com/news/anti-surveillance-advocates-sue-mta-over-alleged-use-facial-recognition-technology#comments    The Surveillance Technology Oversight Project is a non-profit advocacy organization and legal services provider hosted by the Urban Justice Center. S.T.O.P. litigates and advocates for privacy, fighting excessive local and state-level surveillance. Our work highlights the discriminatory impact of surveillance on Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color.