April, 10 2013, 01:06pm EDT
ACLU Statement on Senate Passage of "Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act" Restricting Surveillance Drones
Today, the Florida Senate unanimously passed SB 92, the "Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act," which limits law enforcement's use of unmanned surveillance drones.
The following statement may be attributed to Ron Bilbao, Senior Legislative Associate, ACLU of Florida:
"We are pleased that SB 92 was passed with such enthusiasm by the Florida Senate. Because of the Senate's action, our state is on pace to be the one of the first to protect privacy by putting limits on the use of unmanned surveillance drones.
TALLAHASSEE
Today, the Florida Senate unanimously passed SB 92, the "Freedom from Unwarranted Surveillance Act," which limits law enforcement's use of unmanned surveillance drones.
The following statement may be attributed to Ron Bilbao, Senior Legislative Associate, ACLU of Florida:
"We are pleased that SB 92 was passed with such enthusiasm by the Florida Senate. Because of the Senate's action, our state is on pace to be the one of the first to protect privacy by putting limits on the use of unmanned surveillance drones.
"The ACLU has warned about the dangers of unregulated, warrantless use of surveillance technology, and so far the pace at which surveillance technology has changed has outpaced the law's ability to adapt to it. Strict controls are needed to help guide law enforcement's use of technology in a way that protects all of us from needless invasive surveillance, and this bill puts those controls in place.
"Today's unanimous vote for the bill is a clear statement from our lawmakers that, even as technology makes it easier, Floridians shouldn't be subject to constant and permanent surveillance. We thank Senator Negron for his leadership on this issue, and we hope the House passes the companion bill by Rep. Workman with the same enthusiasm."
More information on the bill can be found here: https://www.aclu.org/blog/technology-and-liberty-national-security/flori...
The American Civil Liberties Union was founded in 1920 and is our nation's guardian of liberty. The ACLU works in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.
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