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“We’ve witnessed in recent years how New Yorkers protesting against police brutality have been subjected to unconstitutional electronic searches. These searches enable government agencies to track the whereabouts of thousands of individuals without any specific suspicion of their involvement in criminal activities.”
Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
As the Assemblywoman representing the 22nd District of New York, I hold grave concerns about how geofence and reverse keyword search warrants affect the civil rights of New Yorkers.
We’ve witnessed in recent years how New Yorkers protesting against police brutality have been subjected to unconstitutional electronic searches. These searches enable government agencies to track the whereabouts of thousands of individuals without any specific suspicion of their involvement in criminal activities.
But the danger of geofence and reverse keyword search warrants extends far beyond protests. We must also consider how these tactics could be used to target individuals seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care, or any other protected rights that are being criminalized nationwide. It is crucial that we act now to protect the privacy and civil rights of all New Yorkers.
That is why I am proud to have introduced A3306/S217 alongside State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, which would ban the use of geofence and reverse keyword search warrants in cases where they clearly violate the New York Constitution or endanger protesters and individuals seeking reproductive or gender-affirming care. This legislation would establish much-needed privacy protections for New Yorkers and set an important precedent for the rest of the nation.
Geofence and reverse keyword search warrants are not only unconstitutional, but they also have the potential to ruin innocent lives by revealing more information about them than about suspected criminals. As we have seen in other states, geofence warrants have led to wrongful arrests and even the identification of individuals seeking healthcare services. This is unacceptable.
We must take action to protect the fundamental constitutional rights of all New Yorkers. I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation and help us end the use of dragnet geofence and reverse keyword search warrants once and for all.
Assemblymember Michaelle Solages represents District 22 on Long Island, and is the Chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus.
