Government Surveillance

New technologies have given governments around the world unprecedented means to collect and access personal information. This includes law enforcement agencies demanding content from tech companies, intelligence agencies tapping directly into internet cables, and the use of surveillance technologies such as license plate readers or facial recognition cameras.

Much of this government surveillance is aimed at enhancing national security and safety, yet in order to ensure all people can seek information and express themselves freely, there must be reasonable checks and balances on governments’ ability to access, collect, and store individuals’ data. Both security and freedom can be protected, but only through balanced laws and policies that uphold human rights.

Government Surveillance Topics

Recent Content

Graphic for a report, entitled "Field Guide to Blocking Statutes: Limiting Interstate Abortion Investigations." An illustration of a phone on a pillar, with dots emanating from it representing data. A triangular blue-and-black shield sits above the phone and protects that data.

Report – Field Guide to Blocking Statutes: Limiting Interstate Abortion Investigations

CDT Issue Brief, entitled "Debunking Myths & Fixing FISA S702 Backdoor Search Loophole." White document on a grey background.

CDT Issue Brief: Debunking Myths & Fixing FISA S702 Backdoor Search Loophole

Graphic for CDT Issue Brief, entitled "Properly Narrowing FISA Section 702 Targeting." White document on a grey background.

CDT Issue Brief: Properly Narrowing FISA Section 702 Targeting

Graphic for CDT's European office. Pale blue / green pixelated background, with a portion of the EU flag's circle of stars emblazoned in white on top.

EU Tech Policy Brief: March 2023

CDT Joins Letter on the Proposed French Law on the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. White document on a grey background.

CDT Joins Letter on the Proposed French Law on the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Graphic for CDT's European office. Pale blue / green pixelated background, with a portion of the EU flag's circle of stars emblazoned in white on top.

EU Tech Policy Brief: February 2023

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