Story perspectives

ACLU Massachusetts Unveils Toolkit Compelling Surveillance Data Disclosure

7/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

The ACLU of Massachusetts created the first online toolkit for defense lawyers, distributed through a password-protected library limited to verified criminal-defense attorneys.
It includes handcrafted motions that compel prosecutors to disclose use of facial-recognition, license-plate readers, gunshot-detection, stingrays and data-broker services.
ACLU staff attorney Jennifer Herrmann says the toolkit provides preservation motions that force agencies and vendors to retain surveillance data before deletion, targeting tools such as Flock and ShotSpotter.

1 of 1

Story summary

The ACLU of Massachusetts created the first online toolkit for defense lawyers, distributed through a password-protected library limited to verified criminal-defense attorneys.
It includes handcrafted motions that compel prosecutors to disclose use of facial-recognition, license-plate readers, gunshot-detection, stingrays and data-broker services.
ACLU staff attorney Jennifer Herrmann says the toolkit provides preservation motions that force agencies and vendors to retain surveillance data before deletion, targeting tools such as Flock and ShotSpotter.