Organization Identity Statements

We are a nonprofit organization focused on increasing access to information, policy discussions and meaningful rights so that the right to data privacy can be a reality for everyone.

Founded in 1992 to help people understand their rights and choices, we are one of the first and only organizations to focus exclusively on data privacy rights and issues. For three decades, our team has been driven by the beliefs that

• data privacy is a fundamental human right and essential for an equitable future
• everyone deserves the opportunity to be informed and be heard

Our Core Values

Equity

We believe in the fair and just treatment of all—regardless of any social or cultural factor.

Accessibility

We believe everyone should have the ability to access information and be represented in discussions affecting them.

Diversity

We believe in the strength that comes from our different lived experiences.

Inclusion

We believe in actively fostering an environment where diverse ideas, backgrounds and perspectives are shared, respected and valued.

Our Work

We increase access to understandable information about existing rights and choices by

• publishing clear overviews of complex data privacy laws
• creating resources that provide context for rights and choices that lie at the intersection of data privacy and key topics that affect us all—health, employment, finance and housing

We increase access to policy discussions and meaningful rights by

• encouraging broad participation across traditionally siloed sectors
• expanding advocates’ public policy capacity in California via facilitated events and information sharing
• engaging in expert policy analysis and strategic advocacy

We increase access to issue-relevant data by

• building high-quality data and tools to inform public interest research, journalism and advocacy
• publishing reports highlighting privacy and security trends

Program Identity Statements

We believe all people deserve the opportunity to be informed and be heard. Yet, comprehensive data privacy protections do not exist in the United States and existing rights and choices are commonly inaccessible—leaving people without the power to exercise meaningful choice or protect their data.

Our diverse programs are designed to change this by increasing access to

• understandable information about existing rights and choices
• policy discussions that focus on inclusion and meaningful rights
• issue-relevant data

PrivacyRights.org

Rights

The complex laws from which data privacy rights spring are often accessible only to those with time and/or money—leaving the vast majority without effective means to understand them or make informed choices.

PrivacyRights.org works to change this. We break down and clarify rights and choices with a focus on practical context and the people most affected.

Privacy Today

Representation

It is one of our society’s core ideals. Yet the policy discussion surrounding the issue of data privacy—a discussion traditionally dominated by a narrow set of viewpoints—is far from representative of those affected by its outcomes.

Privacy Today works to change this. By actively fostering accessibility in this discussion and seeking representation of perspectives traditionally absent, we will help build a more inclusive dialogue to drive positive change and promote meaningful rights.

PrivSec Research

Data

Efforts to understand and address societal inequities are hampered by a lack of accessible, high-quality research data. Even when available, it is frequently out of reach for those with limited capacity.

PrivSec Research works to change this. By creating accessible reports and tools geared towards data privacy and security research, we will help lower the barrier to entry for those working to improve lives.

Email Communications

COVID-19 Resources

While we hope this message finds you well, we know that this is a time of great uncertainty and concern for all of us. We recognize that matters of privacy might not be foremost in your mind at this moment as we collectively deal with the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on ourselves and our loved ones. In this time of shared hardship, we believe—more than ever—that coming together and helping each other is of paramount importance.

To those ends, we have compiled a list of resources that might be useful to you or those you know. Please share them with others who might not receive this message directly!

In the meantime, know that our team—committed to protecting privacy for all—is hard at work on this important human rights issue and is here for you.

Advocacy Support

This November, Proposition 24 (California Privacy Rights Act) passed—demonstrating Californians’ demand for privacy and granting new rights and protections including

• an expanded right to know what information has been collected about you 
• the right to have that information corrected
• a floor for privacy law in California that will help protect against legislative attacks to weaken existing protections
• the establishment of a dedicated privacy enforcement agency

However, this new law is far from perfect. There are many areas in which we feel it should be improved as we move into the next legislative session and beyond. Among these are

• expanding the private right of action so that people will have more opportunities to enforce their privacy rights
• closing the loophole that allows businesses to avoid data minimization
• strengthening key definitions to ensure that all personal information is protected

This ultimately means that the work to ensure the right to privacy granted to us in our state constitution continues. In the coming year, we will be focusing our California advocacy efforts on closing loopholes and strengthening this new law. That said, we cannot do this alone.

Please consider supporting us and joining the fight!

Holiday Season Giving/Tax Credit (60 second)

During this season of giving, please consider making a charitable donation to Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona: where we are working tirelessly to provide affordable housing for the Valley’s working poor. In addition to helping families-in-need realize their dreams of homeownership, your gift may qualify as an Arizona State Tax Credit for the Working Poor, thereby reducing your state tax liability. You can do this in addition to your School Tax Credit donation. If you itemize your gift, you will receive a dollar for dollar credit for your gift to Habitat. The maximum credit is four hundred dollars, if filing jointly, or two hundred, if filing individually. Please visit habitatcaz.org to donate by December 31^st. And on behalf of all of us at Habitat, we wish you a wonderful holiday season. Thank you for supporting our mission to eliminate poverty housing.

1000^th Home (60 second)

During a time when we all shopped at Gemco and had birthday parties at Farrell’s, a small group of volunteers came together in the summer of nineteen eighty-seven to build a house… to help a family in need of decent, affordable housing. Now, a quarter century later, that family’s children are successful, productive members of our Valley community and we at Habitat for Humanity Central Arizona are thrilled to announce the completion of our one-thousandth home. While this accomplishment marks a major milestone for us, it’s only been possible through the help of community members just like you. Imagine what we could accomplish with even more involved and engaged people. Imagine how many more families we could affect for the better. Please visit habitatcaz.org to find out how you can help families in need of decent, affordable housing today.

ReStores (30 second)

Looking for materials to give your home a new look? Have an extra couch taking up valuable space? Or maybe, you’re just looking for a hands-on way of making a difference in someone else’s life… Whether you shop, donate or volunteer at one of Habitat’s five Valley ReStores, you are making a difference in the lives of many families in need of decent, affordable housing in our local community. For more information, please visit habitatcaz.org.