ACLU of Georgia: Bill to Require Phone Service Suppliers Disclose to Law Enforcement On-Demand Locations of Customers Lacks Sufficient Safeguards Against Abuse

ATLANTA – The ACLU of Georgia says bill to require phone service suppliers disclose to law enforcement on-demand locations of customers lacks sufficient safeguards against abuse.

“As currently written, HB 127 would require service suppliers to disclose their customers’ location information without any documentation of the emergency from a law enforcement official who asserts that an emergency situation exists and without facing any consequences if the information was later abused by law enforcement or law enforcement impersonators. The right to privacy is paramount,” said Christopher Bruce, political director of the ACLU of Georgia. “Current law already allows service suppliers to quickly and effectively assist law enforcement while preventing abuse that could jeopardize the safety of others.”

Attached please find a copy of the prepared remarks on HB 127 that Vasu Abhiraman, policy counsel of the ACLU of Georgia may present at the Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Committee hearing this afternoon at 3:00p.m.

Click here for a copy of the remarks and to view this press statement online.