On May 12, 2020, Governor Murphy revealed a new partnership with Dimagi Corp., a mobile data collection company, to deploy a statewide digital contact tracing initiative via an executive order. As a New Jersey resident and concerned constituent, I am writing to request your immediate leadership and support. As you know, during times of emergency officials are able to invoke broad powers. However, checks and balances are still needed to ensure that those powers are serving the best interests of the people. New Jerseyans have numerous questions in regards to the citizen surveillance program that Governor Murphy quietly invoked under emergency powers. As such, we:  Demand that public hearings immediately be held to disclose and discuss the details of the new program, including full information on gaps, vulnerabilities and risks.  Call on our legislative officials to provide answers to numerous questions and concerns about the short- and long-term effects this digital tracking and surveillance initiative will have on every New Jersey resident. Under his plan to stamp out COVID-19, Governor Murphy said he will be hiring 1,000 additional workers to build a robust “community contact tracing corps.” This will be implemented alongside the state’s new technology solution to digitally track and monitor residents. Prior to the program’s rollout, Assemblyman Jamel Holley has called for public hearings. “My concern is invasive surveillance,” Holley said. “When will it end? Before New Jerseyans and others across the country agree to an initiative that involves the release of their personal information, they need to know what they will be sacrificing. That is why I am calling for these public hearings. We are desperate for more information.” I believe that Assemblyman Holley is asking the right questions, and I am asking that you stand alongside him and the millions of other New Jersey residents with concerns about these intrusive measures involving individuals’ confidential medical data. I am asking for your courage and support in being the voice for the people during these tumultuous times. We cannot allow such a sweeping surveillance initiative to be deployed without transparency, accountability and the public’s voice being heard. The people of New Jersey have numerous questions that remain unanswered, including:  How will privacy, confidentiality and security be handled?  What role will quarantine have in the new program?  How will state legislators uphold their oath to protect citizens’ constitutional, civil and human rights?  Will residents have the ability to opt in or opt out of the program?  If COVID-19 is primarily affecting the elderly and those in long-term care facilities, why is the entire state being put under strict surveillance?  Why weren’t similar wide-scale programs launched during other deadly outbreaks like SARS, MERS and H1N1?  In the future, will monitoring be extended to include other infectious illnesses like flu?  Lastly, what is the cost of the governor’s new program, and how will the state demonstrate that the investment ultimately proves effective in reducing further transmission of COVID-19 and saving lives?  Please review additional questions here: bit.ly/2LAG70R As you are well aware, these are unprecedented times, and COVID-19 has dramatically altered our state’s entire way of life. As my representative, I implore you to protect the liberties of all New Jerseyans. Please seek out answers to help us understand what measures are being implemented, what our rights will be, and how these measures will affect our families — during this emergency and into the future. Now more than ever, transparency and accountability are crucial to the wellbeing of our state. Thank you for standing with me to ensure that my voice — and the voice of all New Jersey residents —are heard.

On May 12, 2020, Governor Murphy revealed a new partnership with Dimagi Corp., a mobile data collection company, to deploy a statewide digital contact tracing initiative via an executive order. As a New Jersey resident and concerned constituent, I am writing to request your immediate leadership and support. As you know, during times of emergency officials are able to invoke broad powers. However, checks and balances are still needed to ensure that those powers are serving the best interests of the people. New Jerseyans have numerous questions in regards to the citizen surveillance program that Governor Murphy quietly invoked under emergency powers. As such, we:  Demand that public hearings immediately be held to disclose and discuss the details of the new program, including full information on gaps, vulnerabilities and risks.  Call on our legislative officials to provide answers to numerous questions and concerns about the short- and long-term effects this digital tracking and surveillance initiative will have on every New Jersey resident. Under his plan to stamp out COVID-19, Governor Murphy said he will be hiring 1,000 additional workers to build a robust “community contact tracing corps.” This will be implemented alongside the state’s new technology solution to digitally track and monitor residents. Prior to the program’s rollout, Assemblyman Jamel Holley has called for public hearings. “My concern is invasive surveillance,” Holley said. “When will it end? Before New Jerseyans and others across the country agree to an initiative that involves the release of their personal information, they need to know what they will be sacrificing. That is why I am calling for these public hearings. We are desperate for more information.” I believe that Assemblyman Holley is asking the right questions, and I am asking that you stand alongside him and the millions of other New Jersey residents with concerns about these intrusive measures involving individuals’ confidential medical data. I am asking for your courage and support in being the voice for the people during these tumultuous times. We cannot allow such a sweeping surveillance initiative to be deployed without transparency, accountability and the public’s voice being heard. The people of New Jersey have numerous questions that remain unanswered, including:  How will privacy, confidentiality and security be handled?  What role will quarantine have in the new program?  How will state legislators uphold their oath to protect citizens’ constitutional, civil and human rights?  Will residents have the ability to opt in or opt out of the program?  If COVID-19 is primarily affecting the elderly and those in long-term care facilities, why is the entire state being put under strict surveillance?  Why weren’t similar wide-scale programs launched during other deadly outbreaks like SARS, MERS and H1N1?  In the future, will monitoring be extended to include other infectious illnesses like flu?  Lastly, what is the cost of the governor’s new program, and how will the state demonstrate that the investment ultimately proves effective in reducing further transmission of COVID-19 and saving lives?  Please review additional questions here: bit.ly/2LAG70R As you are well aware, these are unprecedented times, and COVID-19 has dramatically altered our state’s entire way of life. As my representative, I implore you to protect the liberties of all New Jerseyans. Please seek out answers to help us understand what measures are being implemented, what our rights will be, and how these measures will affect our families — during this emergency and into the future. Now more than ever, transparency and accountability are crucial to the wellbeing of our state. Thank you for standing with me to ensure that my voice — and the voice of all New Jersey residents —are heard.