Marissa Kumar Gerchick
@mkgerchick.bsky.social
She/her. Data Science Manager and Algorithmic Justice Specialist at ACLU. Personal account.
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
A reminder that anything recorded on a device like this AI "friend" could be used against you — by hackers, private companies, or the government.
This technology isn't a friend, it's surveillance.
This technology isn't a friend, it's surveillance.
AI startup Friend spent more than $1M on all those subway ads | TechCrunch
If you’ve been on the New York subway recently, you’ve probably seen stark white ads promoting a wearable AI device called Friend.
techcrunch.com
October 1, 2025 at 9:27 PM
A reminder that anything recorded on a device like this AI "friend" could be used against you — by hackers, private companies, or the government.
This technology isn't a friend, it's surveillance.
This technology isn't a friend, it's surveillance.
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
More of this kind of reporting, please!
September 12, 2025 at 5:11 PM
More of this kind of reporting, please!
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
Customs and Border Protection agents searched nearly 15,000 devices from April through June of this year, a nearly 17 percent spike over the previous three-month high in 2022. "The real issue is the chilling effect it has on all travelers."
Phone Searches at the US Border Hit a Record High
Customs and Border Protection agents searched nearly 15,000 devices from April through June of this year, a nearly 17 percent spike over the previous three-month high in 2022. "The real issue is the chilling...
wrd.cm
August 20, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Customs and Border Protection agents searched nearly 15,000 devices from April through June of this year, a nearly 17 percent spike over the previous three-month high in 2022. "The real issue is the chilling effect it has on all travelers."
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
After @riaclu.bsky.social sued, a judge blocked the Trump administration from imposing ideological restrictions on federal grant recipients who serve domestic violence survivors, LGBTQ youth, and unhoused people.
These organizations can continue their critical work without political interference.
These organizations can continue their critical work without political interference.
Court blocks Trump admin's anti-LGBTQ+ restrictions on grants for domestic violence and homeless shelters
The order comes in a lawsuit brought by a nationwide coalition of groups serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence, LGBTQ+ youth, and people experiencing homelessness.
www.advocate.com
July 29, 2025 at 10:41 PM
After @riaclu.bsky.social sued, a judge blocked the Trump administration from imposing ideological restrictions on federal grant recipients who serve domestic violence survivors, LGBTQ youth, and unhoused people.
These organizations can continue their critical work without political interference.
These organizations can continue their critical work without political interference.
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
The use of AI shouldn’t come at the expense of our civil liberties.
At the ACLU’s first-ever Civil Rights in the Digital Age AI Summit, we’re considering ways to leverage emerging technology as an asset, while safeguarding our civil rights.
At the ACLU’s first-ever Civil Rights in the Digital Age AI Summit, we’re considering ways to leverage emerging technology as an asset, while safeguarding our civil rights.
As AI Gains Power, We Must Push for Guardrails to Protect Civil Liberties | ACLU
As AI increasingly makes decisions in hiring, policing, and social services, the ACLU’s Civil Rights in the Digital Age Summit focuses on promoting responsible AI design to ensure technology protects ...
www.aclu.org
July 3, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The use of AI shouldn’t come at the expense of our civil liberties.
At the ACLU’s first-ever Civil Rights in the Digital Age AI Summit, we’re considering ways to leverage emerging technology as an asset, while safeguarding our civil rights.
At the ACLU’s first-ever Civil Rights in the Digital Age AI Summit, we’re considering ways to leverage emerging technology as an asset, while safeguarding our civil rights.
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
Gerchick et al: Auditing the Audits: Lessons for Algorithmic Accountability from Local Law 144's Bias Audits
#FAccT2025
#FAccT2025
June 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Gerchick et al: Auditing the Audits: Lessons for Algorithmic Accountability from Local Law 144's Bias Audits
#FAccT2025
#FAccT2025
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
getting excited for my #FAccT2025 tutorial - today 5 pm Athens time!
I'm sharing new work with @berkeleyischool.bsky.social's awesome Prof. Diag Davenport: "Public Interest Tech (PIT) Clinics as Applied Sociotechnical Pedagogy."
the idea: bring real-world experience & impact into tech education 💫
I'm sharing new work with @berkeleyischool.bsky.social's awesome Prof. Diag Davenport: "Public Interest Tech (PIT) Clinics as Applied Sociotechnical Pedagogy."
the idea: bring real-world experience & impact into tech education 💫
June 25, 2025 at 7:26 AM
getting excited for my #FAccT2025 tutorial - today 5 pm Athens time!
I'm sharing new work with @berkeleyischool.bsky.social's awesome Prof. Diag Davenport: "Public Interest Tech (PIT) Clinics as Applied Sociotechnical Pedagogy."
the idea: bring real-world experience & impact into tech education 💫
I'm sharing new work with @berkeleyischool.bsky.social's awesome Prof. Diag Davenport: "Public Interest Tech (PIT) Clinics as Applied Sociotechnical Pedagogy."
the idea: bring real-world experience & impact into tech education 💫
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
We’re here at the airport as Mahmoud Khalil returns home after over 100 days of being unjustly detained for his advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Welcome home, Mahmoud! ❤️
Welcome home, Mahmoud! ❤️
June 21, 2025 at 6:37 PM
We’re here at the airport as Mahmoud Khalil returns home after over 100 days of being unjustly detained for his advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Welcome home, Mahmoud! ❤️
Welcome home, Mahmoud! ❤️
Excited to be at #FAccT2025 and honored to see our work “auditing the audits” resulting from one of the first enacted AI laws in the U.S. received an honorable mention! I’ll be presenting this work on Wednesday at 11 AM Athens time: programs.sigchi.org/facct/2025/p...
June 21, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Excited to be at #FAccT2025 and honored to see our work “auditing the audits” resulting from one of the first enacted AI laws in the U.S. received an honorable mention! I’ll be presenting this work on Wednesday at 11 AM Athens time: programs.sigchi.org/facct/2025/p...
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
Some results from this paper: trans people, nonbinary people, and disabled people (especially neurodivergent people and people with mental health conditions) have more negative views towards AI than the general US population.
#FAccT2025
#FAccT2025
June 20, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Some results from this paper: trans people, nonbinary people, and disabled people (especially neurodivergent people and people with mental health conditions) have more negative views towards AI than the general US population.
#FAccT2025
#FAccT2025
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
BREAKING: A federal judge reversed National Institutes of Health's terminations of hundreds of critical research grants that were canceled because of their alleged connection to disfavored topics, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity.
This is a major win for public health.
This is a major win for public health.
June 16, 2025 at 9:46 PM
BREAKING: A federal judge reversed National Institutes of Health's terminations of hundreds of critical research grants that were canceled because of their alleged connection to disfavored topics, including diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender identity.
This is a major win for public health.
This is a major win for public health.
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
The National Institutes of Health's efforts to shut down research that doesn't align with the Trump administration’s political agenda is a direct attack on public health.
June 16, 2025 at 5:57 PM
The National Institutes of Health's efforts to shut down research that doesn't align with the Trump administration’s political agenda is a direct attack on public health.
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
The unlawful detention of Mahmoud Khalil is one of the most extreme threats to free speech in 50 years.
Trump is sending a message that people who speak out will be punished — but we have a message for him, too.
We'll see you in court.
Trump is sending a message that people who speak out will be punished — but we have a message for him, too.
We'll see you in court.
Opinion | This Is the Greatest Threat to Free Speech Since the Red Scare
Mahmoud Khalil’s detention is a frightening sign of an authoritarian slide.
www.nytimes.com
March 11, 2025 at 4:42 PM
The unlawful detention of Mahmoud Khalil is one of the most extreme threats to free speech in 50 years.
Trump is sending a message that people who speak out will be punished — but we have a message for him, too.
We'll see you in court.
Trump is sending a message that people who speak out will be punished — but we have a message for him, too.
We'll see you in court.
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
BREAKING: We and @nyclu.org are joining Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil's legal team after ICE unlawfully arrested and detained him in retaliation for his political views.
We will see the Trump administration in court.
We will see the Trump administration in court.
March 11, 2025 at 2:22 AM
BREAKING: We and @nyclu.org are joining Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil's legal team after ICE unlawfully arrested and detained him in retaliation for his political views.
We will see the Trump administration in court.
We will see the Trump administration in court.
ACLU Technology is hiring an AI Research Intern for Summer 2025! Come help us conduct applied research to evaluate the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI tools against ACLU transparency, privacy, security, and algorithmic accountability values. 🧵
www.aclu.org/careers/inte...
www.aclu.org/careers/inte...
Careers at ACLU
Join our team! We’re looking for committed, passionate people for open roles at the ACLU.
www.aclu.org
February 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
ACLU Technology is hiring an AI Research Intern for Summer 2025! Come help us conduct applied research to evaluate the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI tools against ACLU transparency, privacy, security, and algorithmic accountability values. 🧵
www.aclu.org/careers/inte...
www.aclu.org/careers/inte...
As technologists at a civil rights org, we often grapple with how we can use AI in service of our work, while also fighting harmful uses of AI.
ACLU CTO @techforimpact.bsky.social recently shared more about our approach to internal uses of gen AI: technicallyoptimistic.substack.com/p/procedures...
ACLU CTO @techforimpact.bsky.social recently shared more about our approach to internal uses of gen AI: technicallyoptimistic.substack.com/p/procedures...
Navigating AI, Week 2
Developing a risk-focused framework
technicallyoptimistic.substack.com
February 3, 2025 at 9:58 PM
As technologists at a civil rights org, we often grapple with how we can use AI in service of our work, while also fighting harmful uses of AI.
ACLU CTO @techforimpact.bsky.social recently shared more about our approach to internal uses of gen AI: technicallyoptimistic.substack.com/p/procedures...
ACLU CTO @techforimpact.bsky.social recently shared more about our approach to internal uses of gen AI: technicallyoptimistic.substack.com/p/procedures...
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
Anti-abortion politicians will stop at nothing to deny people essential health care, including threatening to lock up doctors and those who help people get abortions.
No one should face prosecution for helping someone end their pregnancy.
No one should face prosecution for helping someone end their pregnancy.
New York doctor indicted for prescribing abortion pill in Louisiana
The case appears to be the first instance of criminal charges against a doctor accused of sending abortion pills to another state since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
www.nbcnews.com
January 31, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Anti-abortion politicians will stop at nothing to deny people essential health care, including threatening to lock up doctors and those who help people get abortions.
No one should face prosecution for helping someone end their pregnancy.
No one should face prosecution for helping someone end their pregnancy.
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
Last year we started a project to download and preserve public data. lil.law.harvard.edu/blog/2025/01... Since saving public data is in the news today — but is always needed — let’s talk about what you can do to help.
Preserving Public U.S. Federal Data | Library Innovation Lab
lil.law.harvard.edu
January 31, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Last year we started a project to download and preserve public data. lil.law.harvard.edu/blog/2025/01... Since saving public data is in the news today — but is always needed — let’s talk about what you can do to help.
One more call for folks to apply for our Algorithmic Justice role ahead of the priority deadline on December 16!
ACLU is hiring an Algorithmic Justice Fellow to work on cutting edge projects focused on digital rights! Come work with us to interrogate how automated systems are being used in high stakes areas. Please share widely!
www.aclu.org/careers/appl...
www.aclu.org/careers/appl...
Careers at ACLU
Join our team! We’re looking for committed, passionate people for open roles at the ACLU.
www.aclu.org
December 12, 2024 at 11:03 PM
One more call for folks to apply for our Algorithmic Justice role ahead of the priority deadline on December 16!
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
This looks like an amazing opportunity, and
@mkgerchick.bsky.social is a dream to work with. Worth applying if you're on the job market.
www.aclu.org/careers/appl...
@mkgerchick.bsky.social is a dream to work with. Worth applying if you're on the job market.
www.aclu.org/careers/appl...
Careers at ACLU
Join our team! We’re looking for committed, passionate people for open roles at the ACLU.
www.aclu.org
November 23, 2024 at 8:13 PM
This looks like an amazing opportunity, and
@mkgerchick.bsky.social is a dream to work with. Worth applying if you're on the job market.
www.aclu.org/careers/appl...
@mkgerchick.bsky.social is a dream to work with. Worth applying if you're on the job market.
www.aclu.org/careers/appl...
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
I cannot recommend this strongly enough! @mkgerchick.bsky.social does amazing work at the ACLU around tech and civil rights. She has all the skillzzz (both tech and policy) and you will learn a ton from working with her. Moreover, you will have massive impact with the power of the ACLU behind you.
ACLU is hiring an Algorithmic Justice Fellow to work on cutting edge projects focused on digital rights! Come work with us to interrogate how automated systems are being used in high stakes areas. Please share widely!
www.aclu.org/careers/appl...
www.aclu.org/careers/appl...
Careers at ACLU
Join our team! We’re looking for committed, passionate people for open roles at the ACLU.
www.aclu.org
November 23, 2024 at 4:44 PM
I cannot recommend this strongly enough! @mkgerchick.bsky.social does amazing work at the ACLU around tech and civil rights. She has all the skillzzz (both tech and policy) and you will learn a ton from working with her. Moreover, you will have massive impact with the power of the ACLU behind you.
ACLU is hiring an Algorithmic Justice Fellow to work on cutting edge projects focused on digital rights! Come work with us to interrogate how automated systems are being used in high stakes areas. Please share widely!
www.aclu.org/careers/appl...
www.aclu.org/careers/appl...
Careers at ACLU
Join our team! We’re looking for committed, passionate people for open roles at the ACLU.
www.aclu.org
November 23, 2024 at 4:28 PM
ACLU is hiring an Algorithmic Justice Fellow to work on cutting edge projects focused on digital rights! Come work with us to interrogate how automated systems are being used in high stakes areas. Please share widely!
www.aclu.org/careers/appl...
www.aclu.org/careers/appl...
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
I made a starter pack of ACLU folks working at the intersection of tech and civil rights across the country, including issues like privacy, surveillance, free speech, and AI.
Fellow ACLUers: let me know if you want to be added!
go.bsky.app/Fc15tXp
Fellow ACLUers: let me know if you want to be added!
go.bsky.app/Fc15tXp
November 20, 2024 at 5:29 PM
I made a starter pack of ACLU folks working at the intersection of tech and civil rights across the country, including issues like privacy, surveillance, free speech, and AI.
Fellow ACLUers: let me know if you want to be added!
go.bsky.app/Fc15tXp
Fellow ACLUers: let me know if you want to be added!
go.bsky.app/Fc15tXp
Reposted by Marissa Kumar Gerchick
Researchers play a critical role in the fight for accountability of automated hiring tools, write Marissa Gerchick and Olga Akselrod, but a lack of transparency that creates a barrier for regulators and litigators likewise creates barriers for researchers.
The Critical Role of Research in the Fight for Algorithmic Accountability | TechPolicy.Press
Researchers play a critical role in the fight for accountability of automated hiring tools, write Marissa Gerchick and Olga Akselrod.
www.techpolicy.press
October 24, 2024 at 1:03 PM
Researchers play a critical role in the fight for accountability of automated hiring tools, write Marissa Gerchick and Olga Akselrod, but a lack of transparency that creates a barrier for regulators and litigators likewise creates barriers for researchers.