U.S. Privacy And World Privacy News
Visa Hypes EU ID Wallet as “Gamechanger,” Eyes Income Tracking
https://reclaimthenet.org/eu-digital-identity-wallet-visa-warns-banks-privacy-concerns-grow
https://www.paymentscardsandmobile.com/eu-digital-identity-wallet-transformational-leap-for-payments-and-banking/
Republican senator Schmitt employs aide (Nate Hochman) fired by DeSantis over neo-Nazi imagery
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/06/republican-senator-aide-nate-hochman
How Trump’s Death Penalty Order Codifies Dangerous Speech
"It is virtually unprecedented in American law to explicitly tie a person’s identity to their sentence, with an exception being the deeply discredited legacy of specific legal codes pertaining to Black people in the pre- and post-Civil War South. Those laws have been widely condemned as fundamentally unjust. In the pre–Civil War South, legal codes imposed vastly unequal penalties based on race: killing an enslaved person was often treated as a property offense punishable by a fine, while enslaved people could be executed for acts such as striking a white person, running away, or repeated theft. Trump’s executive order doesn’t merely echo the systemic bias that the courts have long struggled to address—it openly requires it. It is an attempt to codify identity-based punishment not as an unfortunate byproduct of flawed systems, but as an explicit goal of government policy."
https://www.justsecurity.org/114155/trump-death-penalty-codifies-dangerous-speech/
Republicans want to raise retirement age to 69
https://www.the-sun.com/money/14399312/social-security-full-retirement-age-change-americans-plan/
Trump’s Budget Would Limit Investigations Into Abuse, Neglect of Disabled People
Republicans Want to Ban Pets From Domestic Violence Shelters
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/06/domestic-violence-pets-shelters-abuse/
Trump administration threatens states over Medicaid coverage for undocumented immigrants
Trump is Spending $2M to Figure Out Whether DEI Causes Plane Crashes
Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ Project Stands to Benefit His Son, Donald Jr.
Trump Profits Off the Presidency While Congressional Republicans Put Health Care on the Line
https://accountable.us/trump-coins-secret-dinners-and-a-2-5-billion-congressional-conflict/
How Trump’s pick for surgeon general uses her big online following to make money
The Trump Organization Has Expanded Globally
"Most are located in the Middle East, while five are in India, making it the largest concentration of Trump properties outside the U.S. Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have made at least nine overseas trips to a dozen countries since November."
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-organization-expansion-4998172b
Telegram Signs $300M Deal With Elon Musk’s Grok
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/28/elon-musk-xai-telegram-grok.html
Elon Musk claims Donald Trump is 'in the Epstein files'
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/06/06/epstein-files-trump-musk-controversy-explained/
Why Trump Fears Musk’s Epstein Bomb Most of All
According to Michael Wolff, the bestselling author behind multiple books chronicling Trump’s rise, Trump and the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein were the “best of friends” for 15 years. “They shared girlfriends, they shared airplanes, [and] business strategy,” he claimed
Trump Threatens Musk with ‘Very Serious Consequences’ if He Funds Democrats
Trump threatens Tesla CEO Musk companies' contracts
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/05/trump-musk-crazy-government-contracts.html
Tesla wants to block city of Austin, TX from releasing records on robotaxi trial
Appeals court shuts down Texas AG probe over Media Matters roast of Elon Musk
https://www.courthousenews.com/dc-circuit-shuts-down-texas-probe-over-media-matters-roast-of-elon-musk/
Average 401(k) balances fell 3% since Trump's inauguration
Trump Wants to Cut Tribal College Funding by Nearly 90%, Putting Them at Risk of Closing
https://www.propublica.org/article/tribal-colleges-universities-trump-cuts-funding
Racist game, article from 1940 included in CA elementary school yearbook
CNN's Scott Jenning's torched for asking Education Secretary if the Tulsa Race Massacre would be considered “illegal DEI”
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/scott-jennings-cnn-tulsa-race-massacre_l_6841aaaee4b0720d13723a07
GOP Lawmakers Introduce Resolution To Replace "Pride Month" With "Family Month"
Ted Cruz Leads Anti-Abortion Push To Make June 'Life Month'
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ted-cruz-pride-anti-abortion-life-june_n_6841a277e4b04981b63b5f2f
Nike's Asian employees working 48 hour work weeks for $1 an hour don't make enough money to live on
https://www.propublica.org/article/nike-labor-practices-cambodia-column
Appeals Court ruling sparks debate over biometric unlocking and Fifth Amendment rights
https://media.cadc.uscourts.gov/opinions/docs/2025/01/23-3074-2094718.pdf
How to maximize your privacy using Signal calls and chat
https://www.theverge.com/tech/680712/signal-how-to-call-chat-username-privacy
Chrome Susceptible to Stealthy Screen, Camera and Microphone Spying
https://cybernews.com/security/hackers-use-chromium-browser-spying/
Judge dismisses some claims that Google unlawfully collected users’ private health information
How government's use domain name system (DNS) redirection for internet censorship
The Fifth Circuit Is Calling: They’d Like You to Have Some of Your Privacy Back
https://reclaimthenet.org/fifth-circuit-rules-dropbox-search-violated-fourth-amendment
Republican's Bills Shielding Bayer From State-Level Roundup Immunity Sparks Backlash
"A bill introduced by Rep. Dane Diehl, R-Butler, this year and supported by Bayer would have insulated Bayer and other chemical companies from those lawsuits. The bill would have prevented companies from being sued over the contents of pesticide labels if those labels have been approved by the EPA. Sen. Justin Brown, R-Rolla, introduced identical legislation in the Senate. The bill passed committee but made it no further. Both Brown and Diehl declined to be interviewed for this story."
https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/georgia-lawmakers-shield-bayer-roundup-cancer-lawsuits/
OpenAI Finds More Chinese Groups Using ChatGPT For Malicious Purposes
OpenAI appeals data preservation order in NYT copyright case
Inside OpenAI’s wishlist for the House AI-Energy working group
Anthropic AI introduces Claude Gov models for national security customers
https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-gov-models-for-u-s-national-security-customers
Republican legislators voice support for public funding in AI research
FDA unveils ‘Elsa’ generative AI tool for staff
A Civil Rights Approach to AI
https://civilrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/The-Innovation-Framework.pdf
The covert method Meta uses to track mobile browsing without consent — even in incognito mode or with a VPN
https://english.elpais.com/technology/2025-06-03/the-covert-method-meta-uses-to-track-mobile-browsing-without-consent-even-in-incognito-mode-or-with-a-vpn.html
CyberLink AI Innovations Highlighted at Microsoft Build 2025 in Seattle
https://www.cyberlink.com/eng/press_room/view_5167.html
Researchers predict AI will wipe out white collar jobs over the next decade
https://fortune.com/2025/06/05/anthropic-ai-automate-jobs-pretty-terrible-decade/
Bezos’s Washington Post to Add Random Opinion Writers Edited by AI
Amazon Defeats Prime Subscribers' Privacy Suit
Memo exposes DOGE's potential 'end game' for U.S. Postal Service
DARPA requests information on computer modelling of disease outbreaks
https://expose-news.com/2025/06/04/darpas-request-for-information/
Kettering Health still facing disruption weeks after ransomware attack
Charleston Area Medical Center doctors sued for performing “unnecessary and invasive” hernia surgeries
Comstar ambulance billing company fined $75K for data breach
https://akaprod-www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-hipaa-comstar-agreement.html
State & Local Privacy News
VT- Governor, lawmakers put other data privacy bills on ice for the year
VT- AG settles with private parking company after they ‘trick consumers’ into paying fines
NH- Hanover, Lebanon included on federal 'sanctuary cities' list, means nothing
Immigration attorney Ron Abramson explained that municipalities can choose to act as agents of ICE by opting in to the 287(g) provision. "287(g) is a provision in the immigration code that allows state and local law enforcement to enter into a cooperation agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to help them enforce immigration law," Abramson said.
https://www.wmur.com/article/hanover-lebanon-federal-sanctuary-cities-list/64948982
MA- Feds blame ‘sanctuary policies’ in Milford teenager’s immigration arrest
MA- ICE detains student Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, sparking Milford high school walkouts
MA- State Dept. Says Any Foreigner Seeking To Visit Harvard University Must Be Vetted For ‘Hostile Attitudes Towards US Culture’
MA- Boston mayor Wu calling ICE ‘secret police’ is ‘reckless,’ top US prosecutor says
MA- Boston mayor Wu has her own ‘secret’ police problem
https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/06/05/battenfeld-michelle-wu-has-her-own-secret-police-problem/
MA- Worcester city councilor charged with assaulting police officer during ICE operation
MA- North Reading town official's request to CORI check drag queens before pride event causes stir
MA- Springfield officials support legislation to automatically seal criminal records
MA- Pittsfield cops make $2M in overtime
MA- Former cop running for mayor in Northampton
https://www.gazettenet.com/David-Dombrowski-on-his-mayoral-campaign-61543620
MA- City of New Bedford says $2M grant is secret
https://newbedfordlight.org/city-withholds-records-on-2-million-grant/
PA- Cyber Charter School censors student journalists for writing critical stories about them
NC- Senate panel approves Republican bill expanding sheriffs authority to make immigration arrests
Rep. Carson Smith (R-Pender), a former sheriff, described the bill as an attempt to “clarify and make a few changes” to the law after seeing it in effect. HB 318 would expand the requirement for verifying immigration status from a specific set of felonies to all felonies as well as any impaired driving offenses. It also modifies the requirements for releasing individuals in custody under ICE detention orders.
The “North Carolina Border Protection Act" would hold sanctuary cities liable for crimes by undocumented residents
NC- The city of Asheboro accused of discharging cancer-causing chemicals into drinking water
SC- State Supreme court: ‘Fetal heartbeat’ means any heartbeat in abortion law
GA- Stacey Abrams Funneled $20M to Her Lawyer
GA- State attorney defends law restricting social media for children
https://www.courthousenews.com/georgia-defends-law-restricting-social-media-for-children/
FL- Governor's ban on kids using social media likely unconstitutional, judge rules
FL- AG appeals ruling blocking kids from using social media
FL- Homeowner fines $165K for vehicles tires touching her lawn, appeals to state supreme court
FL- Woman sued for giving chef at Hales Blackbrick a bad Yelp review
OH- Ex-client accuses suspended lawyer Paul J. Harris of malicious prosecution
MN- The Metro Transit Police Department Safe and Strong University Avenue initiative combines police forces and DA's
https://www.fox9.com/news/st-paul-safe-strong-university-initiative-may-2025
IL- HMD Trucking Employee Advances Lawsuit Over Facial Recognition
https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/illinois/ilndce/1:2024cv12437/469139/15/
WI- Chippewa Falls Police Want to Purchase Flock Safety License Plate Readers
ID- State Passes Emergency Truck-Nuts Legislation
https://www.loweringthebar.net/2025/06/idaho-passes-emergency-truck-nuts-legislation.html
TX- Police Are Running Constitutionally Questionable License Plate Searches for ICE
https://thebarbedwire.com/2025/05/30/texas-cops-ice-license-plate-searches/
TX- Emails Reveal Improper Use by Austin Police Department's of 540 License Plate Reader Program
TX- Austin police's 540 Flock Safety/Axon license plate reader program will end this month
"The city placed 40 cameras across the city — many of them downtown — and installed nearly 500 cameras on police vehicles to help catch criminals. The city’s contracted with Flock Safety and Axon to run the program."
TX- Belton police to purchase six Flock Safety license plate readers
https://www.beltontexas.gov/news_detail_T11_R1277.php
TX- State supreme court revives AG bid to shutter migrant charity
Attorney General Ken Paxton has accused Annunciation House of "illegal alien harboring" in a case that has raised issues of religious liberty and Fourth Amendment protections.
https://www.courthousenews.com/texas-high-court-revives-ag-bid-to-shutter-migrant-charity/
CA- DA Attempts to Bury Decades of Misconduct by Withdrawing Resentencing Petitions
"Pamela Price ultimately recommended resentencing 30 people, the majority people of color, after finding that their constitutional rights had been violated. Of those, 20 people have had their day in court and were resentenced to terms less than death under Alameda County Superior Court Judge Thomas Stevens."
https://calmatters.org/justice/2025/05/death-penalty-alameda-resentencing/
CA- Nearly 6,000 prisoners falsely tested positive for opioids, officials forced to launch review
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-05-31/hundreds-state-parole-denials-under-review
CA- Crypto billionaire Chris Larsen offers $9.4M to create a new San Francisco Police Real-Time Investigations Center
The donation, which is made up of funds linked to Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen, would relocate San Francisco police’s Real-Time Investigations Center, which oversees its work with drones, surveillance cameras and automated license plate readers, from the SoMa Hall of Justice to an office at 315 Montgomery St. in the Financial District.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/chris-larsen-sfpd-donation-tech-20357671.php
Billionaire Chris Larsen sets up charity to send $1M gift to San Francisco police department (2024)
https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/sfpd-donation-nonprofit-chris-larsen-19492898.php
CA- San Diegans Push Back on Flock Safety License Plate Reader Surveillance
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/06/san-diegans-push-back-flock-alpr-surveillance
CA- Appeals court rules San Diego's yoga ban in public parks and beaches is unconstitutional
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/appeals-court-san-diego-yoga-ban-unconstitutional/3840547
CA- Statement on State Senate Advancing Dangerous Surveillance Bill
CA- Appeals Court says holding phone for maps while driving is illegal
OR- EPIC Commends Governor for Enacting Heightened Protections for Location, Minors’ Data
https://epic.org/epic-commends-oregon-for-enacting-heightened-protections-for-location-minors-data/
World Privacy News
Israel threatens West Bank annexation if Europe recognizes Palestinian state
49 percent of ecommerce in Europe use facial recognition/fingerprint scanners to ID customers
“It’s really amazing that issuers, merchants, acquirers and processors have all been working together with us to make it happen...We’re very confident that by 2030, as we are already halfway there, we’ll be at 100% as we initially envisaged," Mastercard's Brice van de Walle, executive vice president, core payments, Europe said.
EU to use Spain’s pajaporte digital wallet app for age verification
https://cybernews.com/news/european-union-age-verification-app/
The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation Launches "Global Partner Program" to Expand Digital IDs in Asia
India's alarm over Chinese CCTV spying rocks the surveillance industry
"Global makers of surveillance gear have clashed with Indian regulators in recent weeks over contentious new security rules that require manufacturers of CCTV cameras to submit hardware, software and source code for assessment in government labs, official documents and company emails show."
Trump Administration Targets Brazilian Judge for Rumble ‘Censorship’
Russia- Government's blacklisted classical music stars make a comeback in Europe
Hungary- Supreme court rules police ban of pride march unlawful
https://tvpworld.com/87033855/hungarian-polices-pride-ban-rejected-by-top-court
Germany- YouTuber, Tim Heldt fined €16,000 for mispronouncing the word “quality”
https://brusselssignal.eu/2025/06/german-youtuber-fined-e16000-for-alleged-use-of-nazi-phrase/
France- Government Mandates Digital Visa Applications for Every Tourist
Italy- Draconian new law criminalizing peaceful protest while expanding police powers must be rejected
Italy- Government's security bill sparks protests in Rome
UK- Drivers and passengers to be ID'd by facial recognition and have fingerprints scanned each time they visit Europe
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/british-citizens-fingerprint-scans-eu-b1230602.html
UK- ICO publishes AI and police facial recognition strategy
UK- Government's Digital ID System Signed £10m Contract with Accenture and PA Consulting
UK- TEAM LEWIS launches "Training for Trust" (TFT) corporate analysis
"Developed across the UK, US, and Malaysia, and now operational from a new London studio, TFT combines facial, voice, and eye contact recognition with proprietary modelling. It delivers real-time analysis of performance against criteria including trustworthiness, confidence, and authenticity."
https://www.teamlewis.com/trainingfortrust/
UK- Retired cop wrongly arrested over 'thought crime' X post wins £20,000 payout
UK- Man arrested and fined for burning the Quran
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9v4e0z9r8o
UK- Bankrupt Microsoft-Backed 'AI' Company Was Using Indian Engineers To Inflate Sales
IRL- Government Admits No Free Speech Impact Assessment for “Misinformation” Laws
https://gript.ie/martin-free-speech-doesnt-apply-to-blatant-lies/
Hong Kong- Police to Install “Sharp Eyes” (Chinese Govt) in 20K CCTV Cameras
https://www.hk01.com/%E7%A4%BE%E6%9C%83%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E/60243806/
Thailand- BS WARNING: Digital ID revolution to transform Thai economy
Philippines- Manila Airport to use facial recognition to ID every passenger
https://journal.com.ph/nnic-to-introduce-facial-recognition-technology-at-naia/
Turkey- The Directorate of Religious Affairs Wants to Censor and Delete Unapproved Quran Translations
Bahrain- Government and Finland work together to created national digital ID system
https://www.newsofbahrain.com/bahrain/113669.html
Tonga- Government launches its TongaPass digital ID program
https://matangitonga.to/2025/05/30/tonga-govt-launches-digital-initiatives-transform-public-services
NZ- Privacy Commissioner says Foodstuffs North Island Facial Recognition is Justified
NZ- PM mulls privacy laws after aide ‘secretly recorded sex workers’
Canada- The Strong Borders Act gives police new invasive search powers that may breach Charter rights
https://theconversation.com/the-proposed-strong-borders-act-gives-police-new-invasive-search-powers-that-may-breach-charter-rights-258257
Canada- The border security bill would give law enforcement access to internet subscriber information without a warrant
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-strong-borders-act-law-enforcement-internet-information-access/
Brazil- Comedian Leo Lins Sentenced to Over Eight Years in Prison for Stand-Up Routine
https://www.aol.com/news/comedian-reportedly-gets-8-years-154138279.html
Brazil- Data Protection Authority Opens Public Review on Processing Facial Recognition Data
https://www.mattosfilho.com.br/en/unico/protection-biometric-data/