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Civil Rights

Commentary

Bans on Facial Recognition Are Naive. Hold Law Enforcement Accountable for Its Abuse

Broader police reform may be difficult to achieve. But in the long run, it will be more effective than any specific technology ban.

Jun 17, 2020
Commentary

State Police Powers: A Less Than Optimal Remedy for COVID-19

How can the United States face what may be a growing threat of pandemics without having to exercise powers so extraordinary that they not only restrict fundamental rights and liberties, but also damage or jeopardize the economic livelihood of so many?

May 1, 2020
Report

Court Appearances in Criminal Proceedings Through Telepresence: Identifying Research and Practice Needs to Preserve Fairness While Leveraging New Technology

In 2018, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative convened a workshop to explore the use of telepresence technology in the courtroom. Participants expressed the need for research-driven utilization to ensure that its full potential is realized.

Jan 20, 2020
Commentary

How Washington Could Make Beijing Listen on Xinjiang

In autonomous Xinjiang, at least one million ethnic Uighurs, Kazakhs, and other Muslim minorities have been incarcerated by the Chinese government. What can the United States and its allies do to help defuse this humanitarian crisis?

Jan 17, 2020
Commentary

Celebrating Children's Rights Is Important, but More Progress Is Needed

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which set a legal framework and put children's rights firmly on the international policy agenda, was adopted 30 years ago. While there are a number of initiatives in place, more work could be done to maximize children's involvement in policy and decisionmaking on issues that affect their lives.

Nov 25, 2019
Commentary

Saving Farmworkers from Slavery-Like Conditions, Field by Field

Those at the bottom of the European agricultural supply chain are vulnerable to abuse. The same was true in the tomato fields of Florida until recently. The solution developed there may offer a roadmap for doing right by workers in Europe.

Sep 5, 2019
Report

Addressing the Challenges of Algorithmic Equity

Social institutions increasingly use algorithms for decisionmaking purposes. How do different perspectives on equity or fairness inform the use of algorithms in the context of auto insurance pricing, job recruitment, and criminal justice?

Jul 11, 2019
Commentary

The Christchurch Massacre Was Another Internet-Enabled Atrocity

Terrorism has become an internet-enabled abuse—incited, propagated, and sometimes organized and concealed by online activity. Who should be held accountable for abusive content, the author or the publisher? And what role should the government play in regulating it?

Mar 20, 2019
Report

Using Video Analytics and Sensor Fusion in Law Enforcement: Building a Research Agenda That Includes Business Cases, Privacy and Civil Rights Protections, and Needs for Innovation

Video technology is changing the ways that law enforcement works and interacts with the public. In this report, the authors explore some of the challenges posed and innovation needs in this emerging area.

Dec 28, 2018
Commentary

Freedom of the Internet 'Press'

The First Amendment enables companies such as Facebook to publish what they choose. Arguing against this right could lead to government regulation over digital media. It could also further degrade the reliability of online information.

Aug 10, 2018
Report

How Police Could Use Social Media and Social Network Analysis

Social media and social network analysis could help law enforcement monitor for safety threats, identify those at high risk for involvement in violence, and investigate crimes and crime networks. But computer security, privacy, and civil rights protections must be in place before using these tools.

Jul 18, 2018
Commentary

From Florida's Farm Fields, Lessons for #MeToo and Other Movements

Organizers who want to bring about social change would do well to look to Florida farmworkers. They took on the low wages, physical abuse, and vulnerability that have long characterized agricultural labor in the United States—and won, changing the culture for the better.

Jun 15, 2018
Research Brief

Emerging Technology Trends and Their Impact on Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice Technology Forecasting Group discussed near-term effects that major societal trends could have on criminal justice and identified potential responses. This brief summarizes a report of the results of the group's meetings.

Mar 26, 2018
Report

Addressing Emerging Trends to Support the Future of Criminal Justice: Findings of the Criminal Justice Technology Forecasting Group

The Criminal Justice Technology Forecasting Group deliberated on the effects that major societal trends could have on criminal justice in the near future and identified potential responses. This report captures the results of the group's meetings.

Mar 19, 2018
Commentary

Female Drivers Can Put Saudis on Road to Enhanced Growth

Allowing women to get behind the wheel will likely lead to significant long-term changes in Saudi Arabia's economy and the participation of women in the labor force.

Sep 29, 2017
Commentary

Campaign for Fair Food Makes a Real Difference

The Fair Food Program protects farmworkers while providing corporations with transparency in their supply chains and tremendous brand protection. It has been widely recognized for improving agricultural working conditions and for changing the culture of America's farm fields.

Aug 25, 2017
Report

Evaluation of The Atlantic Philanthropies Migration Programme

This report presents findings from an evaluation of The Atlantic Philanthropies Migration Programme, which provided grants to organisations supporting migrants. It looks at the impacts achieved in law, policy and practice in Ireland.

May 31, 2017
Commentary

Using Digital Data in Criminal Investigations

Personal devices such as smartphones and wearables gather and store personal data. How much of this “digital footprint” should be available for criminal investigations?

May 15, 2017
Commentary

What Data Is the Government Keeping About You?

Governments are amassing a wealth of data on citizens, a trend that will continue as technology advances. But with no reliable way to ensure that the data is accurate, risks abound. In the criminal justice system, for example, poor quality data could affect individual freedoms and employability.

Mar 1, 2017
Commentary

No Company Should Be Able to Keep You from Checking Your Government's Math

Data and computer models are becoming more and more important for making policy decisions on everything from prison sentences to tax bills. But citizens should be able to “check the math” on decisions that affect them.

Jan 18, 2017

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RAND Topic:
Civil Rights

Topic Synonyms:
Civil Liberties