NYCLU raises privacy alarm over NYS’s Mobile ID program

August 5, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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STATEWIDE — THE NY CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION warned on Friday that the state’s new Mobile ID program, announced in June by Gov. Kathy Hochul, poses a risk that the government might use the phone app to “track your every move” and collect data on your personal transactions and behavior. “Without enforceable safeguards for how this vast amount of data will be used, processed, stored, shared or sold, the state could hand over your personal information, transactions and data to state and corporate entities,” NYCLU said in a release. The organization also warned that police might pressure Mobile ID holders to hand over their smartphones to collect their ID, which could imply they gave consent to having their phones seized. Seizing phones in this way would also prevent persons from recording police misconduct.

For now, New York’s Mobile ID is voluntary, but “there’s no guarantee it will stay that way,” NYCLU said.

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