The modern world has changed since the United States Constitution was written.  Today, everyone interacts with devices that connect to global networks. We share information and ideas that track globally. The Internet is a cornerstone of domestic and international commerce, communication, justice, social engagement, advocacy, accountability, research, datasets, and finances.  

The Internet is a modern tool. It is wielded for good but it is also exploited and used for harm. The scale at which individuals, institutions, organizations, and corporations are harmed is dramatically disproportionate. Large organizations and corporations have the means to protect themselves from changing threats. They have the resources and talent necessary to safeguard their data.  

Individuals do not.  

WE PETITION CONGRESS TO PASS THE FOLLOWING:

I: DEFINITION AND PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DIGITAL PROPERTY

1.  Personal Digital Property and Data is hereby defined as an individual’s unique biological, physiological, and behavioral identifiers. This includes, but is not limited to: fingerprints, voice prints, retina scans, iris scans, facial geometry, hand geometry, DNA, gait patterns, keystroke dynamics, touchscreen gestures, heartbeats, electrocardiography (ECG), 3D body maps, skin mapping, sleep architecture, Heart Rate Variability (HRV), and neural metrics.
2. The acquisition, purchase, interception, or collection of Personal Digital Property by any state, local, or federal agency without probable cause and a judicially authorized warrant is strictly prohibited.
3. Corporations, institutions, and private entities are strictly prohibited from collecting, sharing, selling, or retaining Personal Digital Property without explicit, unbundled, affirmative written consent.
4. The training of Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning models, or automated biometric systems on an individual's Personal Digital Property without explicit, continuous consent is strictly prohibited.

II: PROTECTION OF ELECTION PARTICIPATION RECORDS

1.  A citizen’s record of participation in any local, state, or federal election shall be legally deemed personal public property.
2. Election participation data must remain decentralized and accessible exclusively for statewide verification and auditing purposes.
3. The centralization, consolidation, or bulk transfer of these records into federal agency databases or private corporate systems is strictly prohibited.

The People have very few legal resources protecting  us from the harmful, invasive, and exploitative practices of technology companies, government agencies, and foreign criminal organizations. The expense grows every year. We must establish clear boundaries for the digital world. We cannot rely on unspoken rules or assumed expectations when it comes to an individual's unique biological identifiers. Every individual deserves the right to protect themselves, always. 

**Photo by Nick Fancher via Unsplash. Thank you for your wonderful contributions to the Creative Commons.**