CDT and EPIC oppose HUD plan to widen data collection and AI use in CRM system

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) submitted public comments opposing the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s proposed System of Records Notice (SORN) for the agency’s customer relationship management (CRM) system. The organizations say the SORN would authorize HUD to collect new categories of personal data and to broaden use of automated decision tools.

Both CDT and EPIC highlighted privacy and civil-rights concerns in their filings, urging caution as HUD moves to adopt more data-driven and AI-supported workflows. CDT published its comments on its website and EPIC filed parallel remarks, framing the SORN as a consequential shift in how HUD could process information about residents and stakeholders who interact with the agency.

The Center

A SORN is part of the federal notice-and-comment process that informs the public when an agency plans to create or change records systems that contain personal data. CDT and EPIC’s filings are intended to shape that rulemaking record by pressing HUD to limit the scope of data collection, increase transparency around AI use, and adopt stronger safeguards for sensitive information.

The filings do not block HUD’s proposal but represent formal civil-society opposition that agencies and lawmakers routinely take into account. The debate highlights the broader national conversation about how federal agencies should balance modern data tools with privacy protections.