Lawmakers strike deal on data privacy legislation
A Breakthrough Online Privacy Proposal Hits Congress
https://www.wired.com/story/apra-congress-online-privacy-proposal/
The SAFE Act Is No “Compromise” and Won’t Leave Americans Safer
https://www.justsecurity.org/94318/safe-act-no-compromise/
Appeals court rejects transfer of credit card fees rule case amid focus on 'judge shopping'
Constitutional Property Taking: Exclusionary Zoning's Costs to Owners and Society
Ohio AG admits state abortion ban unconstitutional
https://apnews.com/article/abortion-amendment-ohio-attorney-general-e6586d27b115372ede261c41d3ce2346
Law Firm Condemns City of Navasota’s Criminal Conviction of Mother for Some Late Library Books
https://ij.org/press-release/public-interest-law-firm-condemns-city-of-navasotas-criminal-conviction-of-mother-for-some-late-library-books/
Republicans Try to 'Criminalize Alabama Librarians Simply for Doing Their Jobs'
https://www.commondreams.org/news/alabama-library
Idaho Senate passes bill to restrict availability of books ‘harmful to minors’ in public libraries
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2024/04/idaho-legislature-passes-bill-requiring-idaho-libraries-move-harmful-materials/
Courts Should Affirm First Amendment Rights of Youths in the Digital Age
https://www.cato.org/briefing-paper/courts-should-affirm-first-amendment-rights-youths-digital-age-case-21st-century#
DHS-tied ‘misinformation’ researcher personally advised Big Tech on content moderation
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/2946776/misinformation-researcher-personally-advised-big-tech/
Supreme Court Doesn't Go Far Enough in Determining When Govt Officials Are Barred from Censoring Critics on Social Media
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/03/us-supreme-court-does-not-go-far-enough-determining-when-government-officials-are
‘Reverse’ searches: The sneaky ways that police tap tech companies (Google) for your private data
https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/02/reverse-searches-police-tap-tech-companies-private-data/
Google Accused of Censoring Magazine’s Coverage of Islamic Terrorism
https://www.frontpagemag.com/google-warns-freedom-center-to-censor-mentions-of-islamic-terror/
Censorship on Trial at the Supreme Court
https://brownstone.org/articles/censorship-on-trial-at-the-supreme-court/
Encryption and Privacy at Risk from London to Las Vegas
https://www.protectprivacynow.org/news/encryption-and-privacy-at-risk-from-london-to-las-vegas
Tracking Opioid Settlements In Your Community
https://kffhealthnews.org/opioid-settlements/
Fake Lawsuit Threat Exposes Privnote Phishing Sites
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2024/04/fake-lawsuit-threat-exposes-privnote-phishing-sites/
https://privnote.com/#
NYC AI Chatbot Still Active Despite Widespread Evidence It’s Encouraging Illegal Behavior
U.S. and UK Announce Partnership on AI Safety
https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2024/04/us-and-uk-announce-partnership-science-ai-safety
US and EU commit to boosting AI safety and risk research
https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/05/eu-us-ttc-joint-statement-ai/
AI Companies Want to Colonize Our Data. Here’s How We Stop Them
https://truthout.org/articles/ai-companies-want-to-colonize-our-data-heres-how-we-stop-them/
For Data-Guzzling AI Companies, the Internet Is Too Small
https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-training-data-synthetic-openai-anthropic-9230f8d8
Inside Big Tech's underground race to buy AI training data
Big Tech Has a Big Cash Problem
https://www.wsj.com/tech/big-tech-has-a-big-cash-problem-eb00240d
From Pizzagate to the 2020 Election: Forcing Liars to Pay or Apologize
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/31/us/politics/defamation-lawsuits-michael-gottlieb.html
Facebook Shared Users Private Messages With Netflix 'For Nearly A Decade'
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13262517/facebook-netflix-user-dms-tailor-content.html
Meta Fights The FTC's Proposed Restrictions On Teens' Data
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/c4365-response_of_meta_platforms_inc._f_k_a_facebook_inc._to_the_order_to_show_cause_why_the_commission_should_not_modify_the_order_and_enter_the_proposed_new_order_-_public.pdf
Meta now requires users to verify their age to use its Quest VR headsets
https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/02/meta-quest-age-verification/
BS Warning- Google Pledges to Destroy Users Browsing History to Settle ‘Incognito’ Lawsuit
Best Privacy Browsers (2024) Brave, Safari, Ghostery, Firefox, DuckDuckGo
https://www.wired.com/story/privacy-browsers-duckduckgo-ghostery-brave/
CSRB's Report on Microsoft Online Exchange Incident from 2023
Academics probe Apple's privacy settings and get lost and confused
https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/05/apple_apps_privacy_study/
Identity Thief Lived as a Different Man for 33 Years
https://www.wired.com/story/identity-thief-lived-as-a-different-man-for-33-years/
The Doctor Will Ask About Your Gun Now
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2024/04/doctor-gun-safety-screening-public-health/677938/
Private companies are tracking vehicles across state lines
https://papersplease.org/wp/2024/04/01/tracking-vehicles-across-state-lines/
The Car Repair Apocalypse Could Soon Be Upon Us
https://www.404media.co/the-car-repair-apocalypse-could-soon-be-upon-us/
Vehicle Safety Systems Privacy Risks and Recommendations
https://fpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/FPF-Vehicle-Safety-Systems_March2024-FINAL.pdf
Youth Privacy in Immersive Technologies: Regulatory Enforcement, Self-Regulatory Guidance, and Remaining Uncertainties
https://fpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Final-Youth_immersive-tech-regulatory-guidance.pdf
FTC & CFPB: Consumer reporting companies (Experian) have an obligation to correct errors
FTC 2023 Privacy and Data Security Update
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/2024.03.21-PrivacyandDataSecurityUpdate-508.pdf
Health Data Breaches Keep Coming; Millions Affected in 2024
UnitedHealth Group pays out $2B over data breach, while feds mull cyber compliance rules
Iowa City hospital administrator pleads guilty to 3 decade-long identity theft
Hackensack Meridian Health Fined $100K For HIPPA Violations
Phoenix Healthcare fined $35K for HIPPA violations
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care data breach update (almost 3M people affected)
https://therecord.media/harvard-pilgrim-data-breach-notification-update
City of Hope, a cancer treatment and research organization data breach affected close to 1M people
https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/03/city_of_hope_data_theft/
The Emergency Medical Services Authority data breach affected 600K people
https://emsaonline.com/news/cyber-security-notice/
LA County Department of Mental Health data breach
https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dmh/1153322_ProjectHoundPressRelease122223FINAL.pdf
State & Local Privacy News
30 states considering Right to Repair so far in 2024
https://pirg.org/articles/30-states-considering-right-to-repair-so-far-in-2024/
VT- Report on trooper discipline dominated by vehicle pursuit policy violations
https://vtdigger.org/2024/04/02/latest-report-on-vermont-state-police-trooper-discipline-dominated-by-vehicle-pursuit-policy-violations/
ME- Constitutional right to abortion falls short in Senate
https://www.pressherald.com/2024/04/01/constitutional-right-to-abortion-falls-short-in-maine-senate/
NH- Republicans Pass Bill Adding Mental Health Records To Gun Checks
NH- Lawmakers advance bill allowing landlords to evict at end of lease
MA- Supreme court ruled a search warrant to have your blood tested after a fatal crash is legal even if you don't consent
https://www.universalhub.com/2024/warrants-have-your-blood-tested-after-major-crash
MA- Supreme court suggests rap lyrics can be evidence of murder
https://www.courthousenews.com/massachusetts-court-suggests-rap-lyrics-can-be-evidence-of-murder/
MA- Committee Passes Bill to Limit License Plate Reader Data Use and Retention
CT- Crime lab offering DNA testing funds to help local police crack cold cases
NY- Judge Strikes Down Urinalysis Test for Gun Permit Applicants
“I Have to Pull Down My Pants in Order to Exercise a Constitutional Right."
https://www.protectprivacynow.org/news/new-york-judge-strikes-urinalysis-test-for-gun-permit-applicants
MD- Bill Would Put Limits on Police License Plate Data Sharing
GA- Hearing Officer Rules Railroad’s Taking of Private Land is ‘Legitimate Public Purpose’; Property Owners Will Fight Decision
AL- State sued over new law criminalizing voter assistance
https://www.courthousenews.com/alabama-sued-over-new-law-criminalizing-voter-assistance/
KY- Legislature Passes Comprehensive Privacy Bill
https://www.insideprivacy.com/state-privacy/kentucky-passes-comprehensive-privacy-bill/
FL- Lake County Sheriff’s Office purchases 15 Flock Safety license plate readers
IL- Chicago Aldermen seek control over ShotSpotter system’s future
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/04/01/aldermen-seek-control-over-shotspotter/
KS- Marion County Record files $10M lawsuit in connection with 2023 newsroom police raid
https://apnews.com/article/kansas-newspaper-raid-federal-lawsuit-f19966b3b1a2f2f4f116000c67313d8f
https://www.courthousenews.com/kansas-newspaper-publisher-files-lawsuit-in-connection-with-2023-newsroom-raid/
MO- Proposed law would bar law enforcement use of drones from ‘countries of concern’
AZ- Traffic Blockade Protests Were a Nuisance. Lawmakers Want to Make Them a Felony
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/03/traffic-blockades-gaza-felony/
CA- The Murietta Valley Unified School District Installed High-Resolution i-PRO Surveillance Cameras
CA- Oakland’s mayor wants to bar civilian oversight group from next police chief search
https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2024/03/30/oakland-sheng-thao-police-commission-ballot-election
CA- The CPPA Issues First “Enforcement Advisory”
https://cppa.ca.gov/pdf/enfadvisory202401.pdf
OR- Governor signs strongest Right to Repair law to date
https://pirg.org/media-center/oregon-gov-signs-right-to-repair/
World Privacy News
EU’s Plan To Mass Surveil Private Chats Has Leaked
https://reclaimthenet.org/eus-plan-to-mass-surveil-private-chats-has-leaked
https://docs.reclaimthenet.org/2024-03-28-conseil-csam-compromis-presidence-belge.pdf
PayByFace (Facial Recognition) Expands Across European Markets
The Center of Excellence for Data Sharing and Cloud wants governments to adopt digital IDs
“Digital Identity is a key building block for data spaces, It has become evident that the landscape of digital identity is rapidly evolving. In this dynamic environment, data spaces must adopt a strategic approach to remain agile and effective."
https://coe-dsc.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/CoE-DSC-eIDAS-impact-on-data-spaces.pdf
The WEF Calls for Creation of Metaverse Identity
https://www.thelastamericanvagabond.com/wef-metaverse-dystopia/
https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Metaverse_Identity_Defining_the_Self_in_a_Blended_Reality_2024.pdf
Europol and biometric surveillance “won” the Czech Big Brother Awards
https://edri.org/our-work/europol-and-biometric-surveillance-won-the-czech-big-brother-awards/
SITA's 'Face The Future' whitepaper on airport facial recognition and fingerprinting of passengers worldwide
https://www.sita.aero/globalassets/docs/white-papers/sita-biometrics-white-paper.pdf
EU court of justice: Mandatory fingerprints on IDs will be up for re-negotiation
https://edri.org/our-work/mandatory-fingerprints-on-ids-will-be-up-for-re-negotiation/
New EU health data law endangers medical secrecy
https://edri.org/our-work/new-eu-health-data-law-endangers-medical-secrecy/
Five Key Take Away’s on Secondary Use of EU Health Data
https://www.insideprivacy.com/digital-health/ehds-series-1-five-key-take-aways-on-secondary-use-of-health-data/
EU prosecutors take over Belgian probe into Pfizergate
https://www.politico.eu/article/pfizergate-covid-vaccine-scandal-european-prosecutors-eu-commission/
EU’s AI Act fails to set gold standard for human rights
https://edri.org/our-work/eu-ai-act-fails-to-set-gold-standard-for-human-rights/
Poland- Government officials may face criminal charges in Pegasus spyware investigation
https://www.theregister.com/2024/04/02/polish_pegasus_inquiry/
Poland- New Hate-Speech Law 3 Years In Prison For Insulting LGBT People
Germany- Coin-Sized FPGA Embedded Chip Supports Real-Time Facial Recognition
Germany- Ministry of Health announced the Health Data Use Act is in effect
https://www.recht.bund.de/bgbl/1/2024/102/VO.html
Germany- Government Wants to Amend the Federal Data Protection Act
France- Airports Push EU for Facial Recognition Entry/Exit System Launch Delay
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/french-airports-push-eu-for-entry-exit-system-launch-delay/
Italy- Data Protection Authority fined 5 waste disposal companies for using facial recognition
https://www.gpdp.it/home/docweb/-/docweb-display/docweb/9997208#1
Italy- Data Protection Authority privacy warning to Worldcoin Foundation about Iris scanning
https://www.garanteprivacy.it/home/docweb/-/docweb-display/docweb/9999748
Greece- Crete Hotel Workers Oppose Biometric Attendance Monitoring
https://www.argophilia.com/news/crete-hotel-staff-opposed-to-biometric-methods/233790/
Greece- Supreme court’s key ruling on wiretapping scandal
https://www.euractiv.com/section/justice-home-affairs/news/top-court-shakes-greek-politics-with-key-ruling-on-wiretapping-scandal/
UK- BS Warning: Police launch investigation into parliament ‘honey trap’ scandal
https://www.politico.eu/article/westminster-online-scam-police-launch-inquiry-into-uk-parliament-honey-trap-scandal/
https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-minister-confirmed-as-12th-target-in-westminster-spear-phishing-scandal/
UK- Cop charged over death of man hit by police car
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx0z2pxe0zzo
UK- ICO: Publishes Priorities for Protecting Children’s Privacy Online
SCT- Government's new hate crime law: what does it cover and why is it controversial?
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/31/scotlands-new-hate-act-what-does-it-cover-and-why-is-it-controversial
Police hit with almost 4,000 complaints in first two days of new hate crime laws
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13267075/Police-Scotland-hit-4-000-complaints-two-days-new-hate-crime-laws.html
South Korea- Government working with the World Bank to create national digital ID program
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/biz/2024/04/602_372090.html
India- VanixWatch's AI surveillance uses facial recognition and license plate reading
https://www.headlinesoftoday.com/topic/press-releases/vanix-technologies-unveils-vanixwatch-a-next-generation-ai-powered-video-surveillance-solution.html
India- Government's cloud leaked citizens’ personal data online for years
https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/02/indian-government-cloud-spilled-citizens-personal-data-online-for-years/
UAE- Government uses AI facial recognition robot to ticket e-scooter, bicycle rule violators
https://gulfnews.com/uae/transport/watch-dubai-rolls-out-robot-that-will-use-facial-recognition-to-fine-e-scooter-bicycle-rule-violators-1.101764432
Israel- Identify of secret IDF spy chief behind Gaza surveillance leaked
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/05/top-israeli-spy-chief-exposes-his-true-identity-in-online-security-lapse
Israel- Google Won’t Say Anything About the Military Using Its Photo Software to Create Gaza “Hit List”
https://theintercept.com/2024/04/05/google-photos-israel-gaza-facial-recognition/
Israel- Haaretz Details IDF's Creation of 'Kill Zones' in Gaza
https://www.commondreams.org/news/israel-kill-zones-gaza
Israel- ‘AI Targeting System’ Has Caused Huge Civilian Casualty Count In Gaza
https://www.972mag.com/lavender-ai-israeli-army-gaza/
Israel- A Message to AIPAC: Only Gangs Kill Witnesses And Journalists
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/is-israel-targeting-journalists-in-gaza
Israel- Largest anti-government protest since Hamas war began
Israel- Government says it will block Al Jazeera from broadcasting
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68708984
Nigeria- World Bank claims 148M citizens will be using government's national digital ID by June 30
https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099927303012435141/pdf/IDU1a9d1a6be130dc148e6193181cf9d26959fb9.pdf
NZ- Privacy Commissioner to 'Precautionary' Investigate Foodstuffs North Island's Facial Recognition
https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/on-air/heather-du-plessis-allan-drive/audio/michael-webster-privacy-commissioner-on-the-launch-of-an-inquiry-into-foodstuffs-facial-recognition-technology/
Canada- Alberta Government Partners With ATB Ventures To Create Digital ID Program
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/atb-ventures-oliu-tm-partners-with-government-of-alberta-for-seamless-digital-id-verification-891502074.html
Canada- Montreal lawsuit alleges the Temu app taking users' biometric information