ACLU Urges Brown University to Protect Student Privacy

Should Campus Cameras Be Shared with Police?

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:10am

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A serene, cinematic painting of a lone surveillance camera mounted on the side of a college building, the camera lens reflecting the warm, golden light of the sun as it casts deep shadows across the facade.The debate over campus surveillance cameras highlights the delicate balance between security and student privacy.Providence Today

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is challenging a request from the Providence Police Department for access to surveillance camera feeds from Brown University and other local colleges. The ACLU is urging the university to resist sharing this data, citing concerns over student privacy and the potential for misuse.

Why it matters

This debate highlights the ongoing tension between campus security and civil liberties. The ACLU fears that granting the police department access to college surveillance footage could lead to the targeting and monitoring of student activities, particularly in the wake of the Trump administration's crackdown on campus protests.

The details

Brown University has already started installing more surveillance cameras on campus, and the ACLU is concerned that sharing this data with the Providence Real Time Crime Center will only encourage further surveillance and invasion of student privacy. The lack of security cameras in the building where a recent shooting took place has been a point of criticism, but the ACLU argues that the potential benefits of increased surveillance do not outweigh the privacy concerns.

  • In October, the Providence City Council amended the Community-Police Relationship Act to bar the police department from using Real Time Crime Center data or license plate cameras for immigration enforcement, except with a judicial warrant.
  • The ACLU's letter to Brown University President Christina H. Paxson was sent in the wake of a tragic shooting incident at the university.

The players

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)

A non-profit organization that works to defend the civil rights and liberties of individuals in the United States.

Christina H. Paxson

The President of Brown University.

Providence Police Department

The law enforcement agency for the city of Providence, Rhode Island.

Providence Real Time Crime Center

A surveillance and data analysis center operated by the Providence Police Department.

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What’s next

The outcome of this discussion could set a precedent for the balance between security and civil liberties on college campuses across the nation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the trade-offs between campus security and student privacy. As colleges continue to install more surveillance cameras, the ACLU's challenge to Brown University's potential data-sharing with the police department raises important questions about the limits of campus security measures and the protection of civil liberties.