Data Privacy

Why Address Confidentiality Programs Are Broken and How We Can Fix Them

COMMENTARY | To protect the privacy of at-risk people requires better regulations limiting data collection, stronger consumer rights and scalable solutions for removing personal information from the internet.

  • By Rob Shavell

ChatGPT’s Other Risk: Oversharing Confidential Data

As many as 6.5% of employees have pasted their organization’s data into ChatGPT, and 3.1% have copied and pasted sensitive data to the program, recent research showed.

  • By Susan Miller

Watchdog Urges States to Use ‘Extreme Caution’ on Facial Recognition

The use of facial recognition in unemployment insurance programs has spread across states, raising concerns from the Labor Department's watchdog about access and privacy.

  • By Natalie Alms

Social Media Age Verification Faces Practicality, Privacy Challenges

Utah recently approved legislation designed to restrict minors’ use of the platforms, but critics say the effort is unworkable and could leave personal information vulnerable to hackers.

  • By Chris Teale

States Want to See Some Digital ID Before You Visit That Porn Site

Louisiana requires age verification software to prevent minors viewing adult content. Even as the law has inspired copycat legislation, critics are raising privacy and free speech concerns.

  • By Chris Teale

A Governor Imposes a TikTok Ban for State Government

The move comes as the app faces increased scrutiny in the U.S. over its ties to the Chinese government.

  • By Molly Bolan

States Have Work to do Making Identity Verification User Friendly

COMMENTARY | New survey findings highlight the difficulties and concerns that emerge as people try to sign up for state benefits. The poll also found people are more inclined to trust industry than government when it comes to enrolling in services and programs.

  • By John Zogby

Lax State Data Privacy Rules May Expose Consumer Location Information

With states now free to enforce their own data privacy laws, regulators are on the lookout for mobile carriers sharing users' sensitive location details.

  • By Mariam Baksh

Surveillance is Pervasive: Yes, You are Being Watched, Even if No One is Looking For You

There is a large market for personal data, compiled from information people volunteer, information people unwittingly yield – for example, via mobile apps – and information that is stolen in data breaches.

  • By Peter Krapp, The Conversation

Online Data Could be Used Against People Seeking Abortions if Roe v. Wade Falls

COMMENTARY | Women in states where abortion becomes illegal who rely on the internet for information, products and services related to reproductive health would be subject to online policing.

  • By Nora McDonald, The Conversation

Governments Tapping Facial Recognition To Prove You’re You. Why That Raises Concerns

The move by states and the federal government promises to cut down on fraud, but at what cost?

  • By James Hendler, The Conversation

Treasury Considers State and Local Grants to Implement Digital ID Systems

The effort to stimulate widespread use of digital identification is aligned with a White House order on cybersecurity and could help defend against ransomware attacks, officials said.

  • By Mariam Baksh
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More States Enacting Potentially Conflicting Data Privacy Laws

In the absence of federal legislation, states are regulating the commercial collection and use of personal data, a new report shows.

  • By Andre Claudio

Top Public Sector Cybersecurity Threat No Longer is Employees

Hackers pose the greatest cyber risks for states and localities, followed by careless workers and foreign governments, according to an annual IT report.

  • By Andre Claudio

Cloud Boosts Delivery of Government Services During Pandemic, Other Crises

However, state CIOs say there are barriers to transitioning to the cloud, including financial and workforce issues, according to a report.

  • By Andre Claudio

Is Your State Ready To Handle the Influx of Federal Funds for Expanding Broadband?

States have widely different track records on expanding broadband internet access. Here are the ones that could struggle to handle the federal funds coming their way.

  • By Brian Whitacre and Christina Biedny , The Conversation

Robocallers Try New Tactics to Evade Crackdowns

Scofflaws innovate after every government attempt to block scam calls.

  • By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline

How to Identify Phishing Emails and Foil Attacks

COMMENTARY | A cybersecurity researcher explains what to do to protect your organization.

  • By Rick Wash, The Conversation

3 Strategies for Advancing Facial Recognition Technology in Policing

As more agencies launch FRT programs, standard best practices should be discussed regularly to ensure this technology protects citizen’s privacy and civil liberties, according to a recent report.

  • By Andre Claudio

Cities Embraced Technology During Covid But Still Lack Comprehensive Digital Policies

A white paper identifies gaps in technology governance in cities, including problems with accessibility, digital infrastructure and cybersecurity.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

What One City Hopes to Learn by Pausing Use of Facial Recognition Technology

A ban in Baltimore would restrict the city from purchasing facial recognition technology and temporarily restrict use by city agencies, residents and businesses (but not the police).

  • By Andrea Noble