FEDERAL COURT DENIES MOTION TO DISMISS, RULES DANIEL’S LAW AS CONSTITUTIONAL IN A WIN FOR DATA PRIVACY

(Jersey City, New Jersey) – Today, November 27, 2024, a federal court denied motions to dismiss filed by over 70 data brokers claiming that New Jersey’s Daniel’s Law is facially constitutional.  This is a significant win for the privacy law that protects the personal information of at-risk civil servants in New Jersey and establishes a new frontier for privacy protections for all Americans. 

The New Jersey law was enacted in the wake of the tragic murder of the son of a New Jersey District Court Judge in 2020 and aims to protect the home addresses and unpublished home telephone numbers of covered persons, including judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers, and their family members, from unauthorized disclosure.

“We are grateful for the court’s decision finding that Daniel’s Law is constitutional.  Tens of thousands of public servants in New Jersey can go to work tomorrow feeling a little more confident that Daniel’s Law will protect them and their families from harassment and violence,” said Matt Adkisson, President, Atlas Data Privacy Corporation.

“Many other public servants from around the country have expressed interest in adopting Daniel’s Law in their own states, and we see the constitutional clarity provided by the court as a definitive step forward in that direction,” Adkisson said.

In February 2024, Atlas filed more than 140 lawsuits against data brokers who had failed or refused to comply with nondisclosure requests. In total, data brokers allegedly failed to comply with requests from about 20,000 New Jersey covered persons seeking protections under Daniel’s Law.

Rajiv D. Parikh, counsel for plaintiffs from PEM Law said, “This is a watershed moment for individual privacy and the protection of critical personal data.  It was our contention from the outset that Daniel’s Law is clear in its intent and implementation, and we are very pleased to see Judge Bartle agrees. There is nothing that can ever soften the horrific loss suffered by Judge Salas and her family, but if today’s decision can spare even one family from the pain and heartbreak that necessitated this legislation, then we have all earned a significant victory today.”

Senator Joseph Cryan, the primary sponsor of Daniel’s Law, said, “I am simply ecstatic to read the Judge’s decision. The tragedy that spurred this legislation is indescribable and the fact that the companies benefiting from the multi-billion dollar data mining industry would rather spend millions than comply with something that will save lives speaks volumes.  I applaud Atlas and any other individuals or entities willing to stand against ghouls prioritizing corporate profit over individual well-being and safety.”

“We applaud the Court’s ruling. It is a significant step toward securing the safety and privacy of America’s members of law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, and their families. These covered individuals aim to protect themselves and their families as they carry out their civic responsibilities,” said plaintiffs’ attorneys John Yanchunis and Ryan McGee of Morgan & Morgan.

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About Atlas Data Privacy Corporation

Atlas’s mission is to protect judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and other public servants and officials by preventing their sensitive personal information from being disclosed online. We help individuals, agencies, and enterprises who are at elevated risk when their information is made public. To learn more visit: www.atlas.net.