Topic: Privacy Rights

House passes cyber security bill over Obama's objections

The president has threatened to veto the bill, which is designed to empower the private sector to fight electronic attacks.  The White House prefers a Senate alternative that vests that power in the Department of Homeland Security.

House passes cybersecurity bill despite veto threat over privacy protections

The cybersecurity bill seeks to protect the nation from cyberattack, but concerns over how personal information is shared with the government and corporations has sparked opposition and a veto threat from the Obama administration.

Can right to privacy bar a strip search in jail? Supreme Court hears case.

A motorist jailed for a minor offense in 2005 says two New Jersey jails violated his privacy rights by subjecting him to a strip search. The jails told the Supreme Court that security justifies the practice.

Can medical records be released without consent? Supreme Court refuses case.

The potential issue for the Supreme Court centered on a Maryland law that empowers an oversight board to demand that a doctor immediately turn over requested medical records or face sanctions.

Patriot Act: three controversial provisions that Congress voted to keep

Congress had included sunset provisions in the USA Patriot Act to ensure that lawmakers revisited these measures. On Thursday, they extended three provisions for four years.

TSA aimed to put body scanners in public places

TSA denies it used airport body scanners elsewhere. But documents show it tested similar technology at a commuter train station in New Jersey and signed contracts for more scanning in public places.

Supreme Court: Corporations do not enjoy personal privacy rights

The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday in a case involving AT&T that explored whether it could claim, under personal privacy rights, an exemption from a Freedom of Information Act request.

Corporate 'personal privacy'? Case watched for any hint of Supreme Court bias.

A lawyer for AT&T faces tough questioning at Supreme Court as he argues for 'personal privacy' protections for corporations. Critics alleging a pro-business bias in the Roberts court are tuning in.

Are TSA pat-downs and full-body scans unconstitutional?

The TSA says the pat-downs and full body scans are necessary to keep airliners safe. But critics ask if such intimate searches violate the Fourth Amendment.

'Grim Sleeper' case raises privacy concerns over use of DNA

'Grim Sleeper' serial killer case was broken when authorities used DNA taken from the suspect's family members. Is it a breakthrough in police science or an invasion of privacy?

DNA evidence: New York law would be first to add all criminals to DNA database

DNA evidence: New York Governor David Paterson has proposed roughly doubling New York's DNA database to include samples from even low-level offenders. But could that be an invasion of privacy?

Text messages can be searched says Supreme Court

Text messages OK to be searched, Supreme Court rules.

Supreme Court backs police department that read employee's texts

A police sergeant was using a work-issued pager to send sexually explicit texts. The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the police department was entitled to read his messages.

Supreme Court takes up 'sexting' privacy case

The Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in the case of a California police officer who sued when records from his department-issued pager were submitted to internal affairs. He had used the pager for sending sexually explicit text messages, or 'sexting.'

Can Obama force you to buy health insurance?

Nothing in the Constitution allows the individual mandate he proposes.

How we're losing our privacy online

From personal photos circulated inadvertently on Facebook to ‘Web bugs’ that monitor our buying habits, the Internet is exposing the private us to the public more than any technology in history. Here’s why you should care – and how to avoid it.

Was Wikipedia correct to censor news of David Rohde's capture?

Five questions for Sotomayor

GOP senators should probe her views on key Supreme Court decisions.

Who's reading your medical files today?

Tell Congress to pass a real health privacy law.

ISPs enter the targeted ad game

Direct marketing is big business online. But this business shift has privacy advocates worried.

Mission creep in DNA data banks

A new rule would require DNA samples from all arrested for federal crimes.

Court for kids: it's your turn to be the judge

You decide whose arguments are best in these five real-life court cases.