Hi there --

A year ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to abortion in the United States. In the time since, 14 states have banned abortion entirely with many more significantly restricting access.¹

For a year now, digital footprints have endangered individuals seeking reproductive care. For example, right-wing state governments could quickly access user location data through data brokers – or by subpoenaing Big Tech companies themselves – and use that information to prosecute people seeking abortion care, or those who assist them in accessing care. It happened in Nebraska, and with new draconian laws signed into law in other states, twenty-five million women now live in states where the law makes abortion care impossible or increasingly accessible than before the ruling.

Friend, we’re not backing down. Here’s how we’re fighting back:

We conducted research showing Google continues to collect and retain sensitive location search queries by default and also for location history when it is turned on – including travel to reproductive care facilities.

We were joined by more than a dozen other advocacy groups, celebrities including Amy Schumer, and thousands of individuals like you for a #HeyGoogle Day of Action calling on Google to live up to its commitment to stop collecting location data.

We flew an airplane banner reading, “PROTECT ABORTION PRIVACY” over Google’s annual I/O developer conference, timing it perfectly to get the attention of Google CEO Sundar Pichai during his keynote speech. A few days later Google "clarified" how they track Location History.

We published an op-ed on Big Tech’s role in how Big Tech’s toxic business model could land abortion seekers in jail and how we can stop them.

We are supporting legislation in California and Massachusetts to protect privacy regarding abortion access.

We are continuing our fight to go at the heart of Big Tech’s business model with our Ban Surveillance Advertising campaign.

No one should be tracked and targeted for exercising their personal health decisions. We’re proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you and our partners in the fight for reproductive freedom – including preventing Big Tech companies from profiting off the data collection and criminalization of reproductive care.

Thank you for being in this fight with us.

In Solidarity,

Nicole Gill
Co-founder and Executive Director
Accountable Tech

1. The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/us/abortion-laws-roe-v-wade.html

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