Cyberliberties: Where technology meets the bill of rights

Cyberspace and digital technologies provide new opportunities for free expression and community organizing. They also create new risks of censorship, surveillance, and violation of privacy. Basic rights such as the right to have one's vote counted and open government are put at risk by the malicious or incompetent use of digital technology.

Working with tech-savvy citizens, we monitor Texas legislation and administrative activities, working to educate the public and government officials about how to protect citizens' rights in a digital age.

UN Demands US Government Answer for Border Wall
Today, the United Nations Committee charged with monitoring compliance with the International Convention on the Elimination All Forms of Racial Discrimination, an international treaty that was ratified by the U.S. in 1994, asked high-ranking U.S. government officials to explain the U.S.'s compliance, or lack thereof, with the treaty provisions that prohibit discrimination in areas such as housing, law enforcement, education, and the treatment of migrants. Since the treaty’s ratification, U.S. reporting on compliance has been inadequate, and this week’s hearings were no exception. Read More...

The Future of Texas: 70th Anniversary Conference
Join the ACLU March 8th in San Antonio for our 70th anniversary conference. Luminaries participating include Cecile Richards, Stephen Klineberg and many others. Read More...

Are you ready to pick up the torch?
Join the ACLU of Texas in San Antonio for our 70th Anniversary Gala and Conference, March 8, 2008 on the Riverwalk! Learn more at www.aclutx70th.org! Read More...

ACLUTX 2008 Summer Intern Announcement
The American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Texas is accepting applications for summer 2008 law internships. The ACLU is one of the nation's foremost defenders of civil liberties and civil rights. We are a nonpartisan organization dedicated to defending the Bill of Rights through litigation, legislation, and public education. The Texas affiliate of the ACLU, founded in 1938, is headquartered in Austin, and includes a regional office in Houston and thirteen chapters with over 17,000 members statewide. Read More...

2007 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Program Launches
The ACLU Foundation of Texas' Legal Department is very proud to announce the launching of our Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Program for 2007. Each month an expert on constitutional and civil rights/civil liberties law will offer a CLE presentation on an issue of importance to the local legal community. Read More...

Austin's Open Government Online Amendment Analayzed
Confused about what's really in Austin's Open Government Online charter amendment? Is it really so detailed and incomprehensible? See for yourself. Read More...

Governor Perry wants new wiretapping authority: Say No!
If we're fighting murderers and drug runners, then Texas law enforcement has all the authority it needs for border wiretapping. Read More...

Sneaking and spying
As the ACLU commences its lawsuit against the federal government in response to domestic spying by the NSA, ACLU of Texas' work to protect personal privacy and prevent government secrecy is worth a peek. Read More...

Austin League of Women Voters to discuss electronic voting machine security
On Monday, 9/26, the League of Women Voters monthly meeting will discuss electronic voting machine security. Vickie Karp, Chair of the Coalition for Visible Ballots and a board member of Black Box Voting, will provide an overview of the electronic voting machine problems during the 2004 Election, and will recommendation solutions. Vickie Karp will introduce the a Austin-based organization, VoteRescue, and will outline their plans to conduct Parallel Elections to test the accuracy of electronic voting machines. The discussion group will be held at 6pm in the back room at la Madeleine Restaurant at 35th and Lamar in Austin. Read More...

Carter-Baker Commission recommends voter-verified paper trail
A bi-partisan commission led by former president Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James Baker issued a report to President Bush with series of recommendations to improve citizen confidence in the voting process. The recommendations included a voter-verified paper trail for the goals they described. Read More...

Texas House fails to pass bi-partisan bill requiring a voter-verified paper trail
In the 79th legislative session, the Texas House of Representatives considered a bill to require a voter-verified paper trail for electronic voting systems. Read More...

ACLU sues Texas Secretary of State to open meetings
In August of 2004 the Texas ACLU sued the Secretary of State to open up the meetings of voting machine examiners. We won that lawsuit, but the legislature passed a new law closing the meetings again. Read More...

RFID opt out bill to protect students failed to pass
Tracking students with RFIDs makes them less safe. Read More...

Texas Community Networks Support Katrina Relief
Volunteers from Texas community and municipal networks community have been helping to organize communications for hurricane evacuees. Read More...