Common Council requires companies in Syracuse to disclose personal data use
Syracuse Common Council unanimously passed a resolution requiring city companies to disclose how they share users’ personal data. Several advocacy groups shared concern about information being shared with organizations such as ICE. Avery Magee | Photo Editor
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The Syracuse Common Council unanimously passed a resolution requiring companies contracted with the city to disclose how they share users’ personal data.
Members of several advocacy groups, including the Syracuse Democratic Socialists of America, attended Monday’s meeting concerned that the city could provide private information to companies that share data with the Department of Homeland Security or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The resolution urges Syracuse’s Director of Management and Budget Evan Loving to amend procedures, requiring vendors with city contracts to provide a “disclosure check box,” detailing whether they or their subcontractors share user data with third parties. It also asks contractors to identify who they share user information with and their reasons for doing so.
Councilors Donna Moore and Chol Majok spoke in support of the resolution before the vote. Moore acknowledged the resolution doesn’t solve all the problems of data privacy in Syracuse but that it’s passing a “step in the right direction.”
“At the urging of some people in our community with concerns with doing business with ICE, I think this is a really good resolution,” Moore said.
Majok extended appreciation for members of Syracuse community coalitions who advocated for the resolution and thanked the members of the Syracuse DSA for attending.
“Thank you for your advocacy to get us to this point, we appreciate you fighting for every voice here. It may not solve all our problems, but it at least moves us closer to where we want to go,” Majok said.
The community consists of groups advocating for the passing of the resolution and issued a press release following the council’s decision.
“The coalition commends the council for the data privacy resolution and asks for the city to further these efforts,” the release states.
The release also urged the council to pass the “Melt the Contracts” resolution, which would further restrict the city from entering into, renewing or extending contracts with any company that profits from or supports detainment and deportation practices.
“The coalition is calling on members of the Common Council to introduce more aspects of the Melt the Contracts resolution in May 2 026,” the release states.
Other Business
- The council passed a resolution to recognize April 2026 as Autism Awareness Month in the city of Syracuse. The council invited Jean Leiker, executive director of the central New York chapter of the Autism Society, to speak about the importance of improving the lives of those living with autism.
- An amendment to fulfill a previously approved $1.5 million grant from the United States Department of Justice Community Violence Intervention & Prevention Initiative was passed. The grant will help the city implement gun violence reduction outreach, mediation and victim support services.
- The council approved a special permit for a cannabis dispensary on North Salina Street in a 7-1 vote. Councilor Marino Nave dissented due to his concerns for establishments in the surrounding area, including Assumption Church and its food pantry.
