Download ACLU testimony on SB 182

CONTACT: Meredith Curtis, Communications Director, 410-889-8555; media@aclu-md.org

Sara Love, Public Policy Director, 703-963-2710; love@aclu-md.org

ANNAPOLIS - On February 7, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland will testify before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in favor of Senate Bill 182, which seeks to prohibit the Maryland Transit Authority (MTA) from using the audio recording capabilities on the six video cameras mounted on each bus to record all of the conversations that take place on MTA buses.

Statement of David Rocah, Staff Attorney for the ACLU of Maryland: "We believe that transit riders should not have to give up their fundamental right to privacy, and have all of their conversations recorded, as a condition of riding public transit. The privacy implications of audio recording in public go far beyond the rights of Marylanders who ride buses. At stake is the principle that the government should not be able to record and monitor every conversation that takes place in a public locale."

WHAT: Hearing in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee in support of SB 182.

WHO:  David Rocah, Staff Attorney, ACLU of Maryland. Rocah will be available for media interviews.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 7, 2013; hearing begins at 1 PM. 

WHERE: Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, Miller Senate Office Building, 11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD.

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