Data Privacy
California regulator weakens AI rules, giving Big Tech more leeway to track you
Pressure from the governor preceded the AI regulation retreat. Big tech gets more leeway to help make decisions or target ads.
‘Buckle up’: Data privacy bills back before Maine Legislature
Amid the lack of a national data privacy bill, all of the bill sponsors highlighted the importance of enacting a law that is interoperable among other states.
23andMe users’ genetic data is at risk, state AGs warn
State and federal laws may not protect consumers’ DNA information.
North Carolina lawmakers consider bill to let consumers opt out of targeted online ads
If passed, the bill would allow consumers obtain their data, have it corrected or have it deleted. Companies would have to tell consumers what third parties have their personal information.
How California sent residents’ personal health data to LinkedIn
The state’s health insurance exchange transmitted pregnancy and domestic abuse data during a marketing campaign. It is reviewing its website practices.
Report: More than 80% of NY parents support law restricting app downloads for teens
The study released by the Black Institute comes as two states already have passed legislation with such restrictions.
Progressives seek health privacy protections in California, but Newsom could balk
Democratic state lawmakers in California have proposed bills to protect women, transgender people, and immigrants in response to concerns that their health data could be used against them. If the measures reach his desk, Gov. Gavin Newsom could lay such legislation aside to focus on securing federal funds.
Big Tech lobbies New Mexico for AG-backed bill
Democratic lawmakers in the state differ on how to protect consumer information online, while a lobbyist for Big Tech companies including Amazon, Google, Meta, Target and General Motors personally lobbied lawmakers on at least one data privacy bill.
Advocates champion health data privacy bills on Reproductive Justice Day of Action
Proposals would help shield patients’ privacy, backers say.
DHS watchdog investigating TSA’s use of facial recognition
The review comes after a bipartisan group of senators previously called for the watchdog to look into TSA’s use of biometric tools “from both an authorities and privacy perspective.”
Featured eBooks
School software provider is the latest target of major hack of personal data
The incident is the latest large-scale data breach in the U.S., as year after year, the number of cybercrimes continues to rise.
AI tools and student data: Teachers can endanger kids’ privacy without robust training
Artificial intelligence is helping teachers save time. But popular AI platforms can also significantly endanger student privacy. The risks are prompting school districts and others to respond.
Democrats push to protect the data privacy of people seeking abortions
In Congress, Sen. Elizabeth Warren plans to reintroduce legislation to ban data brokers from selling consumers’ health and location data. A similar effort is underway in Michigan.
States’ privacy is a ‘continual conversation’ amid AI growth, officials say
More governments are embracing some form of privacy protection. It could be hard for those laws to keep up with emerging tech, but officials said that presents an opportunity to be forward-thinking.
A proposed bill looks to protect reproductive health data privacy
Michigan lawmakers will consider legislation that would prohibit the collecting or processing of an individual’s reproductive health data without obtaining their informed consent.
Amid tight budgets and talent gaps, the job of state technology chief just keeps expanding
Many state chief information security officers say they don’t have a reliable budget, staff or expertise to adequately protect against cyberattacks, according to a new survey.
Can states’ social media laws stand up to scrutiny?
Several states have tried to regulate the space in a bid to protect young people from the worst of the platforms. But whether their plans are workable, and can withstand legal challenges, remains to be seen.
Surgeon general says minors’ social media use is causing parental stress
Over the past two years, states have passed dozens of laws to protect young people from the worst of the platforms. Here’s how they’ve done it.
Texas’ $1.4B settlement with Meta highlights the need for data privacy protections, experts say
Attorney General Ken Paxton secured an eye-watering sum for Facebook’s alleged misuse of facial recognition tech. But observers argue that states need to go further and put more teeth in privacy laws.
‘Death by a thousand cuts’: A look at Big Tech’s efforts to influence data privacy
Maine’s struggles to pass such a law have familiar ring for Maryland lawmakers.
