Data Privacy and Surveillance

Advancing Justice | AAJC supports federal data privacy policies that incorporate civil rights protections. Lack of proper guardrails around public and private sector access to personal data doesn’t just violate our privacy and make our information vulnerable to misuse – the resulting chilling effects can also discourage people from accessing essential services, participating in civic engagement, maintaining cultural connections, and benefitting from the innovation economy. 

Consumer Data Privacy: We advocate for a strong federal data privacy framework that provides robust protections against data-driven discrimination and algorithmic bias. Consumers should be empowered to make informed decisions about the collection and use of their personal information, including location data, browsing habits, and communication patterns.

State Privacy Legislation Tracker 

Government Data PrivacyFor generations, Asian Americans have been subject to government overreach in the name of national security. Government data access without proper protections can enable large-scale surveillance infrastructure capable of exposing individuals to life-altering consequences, such as wrongful detention, visa revocation, and denial of benefits and services. We advocate for strong government data privacy protections to prevent data misuse, profiling, and discriminatory outcomes. We work to ensure that personal data is collected, maintained, and shared with clear limitations, strong transparency standards, and meaningful accountability. 

Community Privacy Empowerment: We provide tailored resources to help protect our community's privacy in an increasingly digital world. By supporting digital literacy classes and developing multilingual resources on digital security, we work to keep Asian Americans informed on how to secure their devices, manage privacy settings, and understand their digital rights. By building privacy awareness, we empower community members to navigate digital spaces safely while staying connected to their communities and essential resources.

A 2026 Guide to Building Your Digital Defense Toolkit