Senator Kristen Gonzalez and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein Introduce New Bill Limiting Law Enforcement’s Ability to Access Personal Information Without a Warrant

NEW YORK — State Senator Kristen Gonzalez and Assemblymember Harvey Epstein are introducing a bill to enhance the protection of personal information collected by state and local agencies. The Modernize the Personal Privacy Protection Law (PPPL) Act makes updates to the 1983 PPPL, including placing limits on law enforcement's ability to obtain New Yorkers’ personal information from city or state agencies without a warrant.

Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “New Yorkers shouldn't have to choose between using government services and safeguarding their privacy. Currently, law enforcement agencies can freely collect sensitive information from government agencies. This bill dramatically reduces the ability of law enforcement agencies to obtain someone's personal information without a warrant, with a few exceptions, such as life-threatening emergencies.

Communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, abortion-seekers, and the working class need reprieve from biased policing. This bill would shield peoples’ personal information from law enforcement to protect fundamental privacy rights for all of our communities and bring our laws in line with the spirit of the constitution.”

“The Personal Privacy Protection Law was passed in 1983 when the government’s adoption of technology to keep records was nascent. Forty years later, the collection of our personal information by government has exploded, creating new concerns around the safeguarding and dissemination of that information. Under current law, state and local law enforcement agencies can obtain New Yorkers’ personal information from an agency for any reason without a warrant. This loophole jeopardizes the vulnerable, such as undocumented immigrants and other New Yorkers who have been traditionally over-surveilled and over-policed. If New Yorkers can’t trust the government to maintain their personal and sensitive information, how can we expect them to apply for benefits, substance use treatment, housing, or other essential services we provide? I’m proud to work with Senator Gonzalez and STOP to modernize the PPPL  and protect New Yorker’s Privacy,” said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein