Digital privacy, surveillance, data protection, civil liberties
Researchers have demonstrated that Large Language Models (LLMs) can de-anonymize internet users by analyzing their past online comments. This is achieved by identifying unique writing styles within comments that LLMs can then match to previously anonymized text.
Samsung has agreed to a settlement with the State of Texas following allegations of unlawfully collecting content-viewing data from smart TVs without explicit consent. This agreement requires Samsung to obtain express consent before collecting such data and to provide clear privacy notices to Texans.
The article discusses the complex relationship between Anthropic, an AI company, and the US government, particularly concerning data privacy, surveillance, and national security interests. It highlights potential conflicts arising from government access to Anthropic's AI models and the implications for individual privacy and civil liberties.
The article discusses Iran's internet shutdown in January 2026, which was more severe than previous shutdowns. Unlike prior incidents, even the National Information Network (NIN), Iran's domestic intranet, was affected, impacting banking and administrative sectors.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit overturned a lower court’s dismissal of a challenge to sweeping warrants that allowed police to search a protester’s devices and digital data, as well as a nonprofit’s social media data. The court found the warrants to be overbroad and lacking in particularity, violating the Fourth Amendment.
EPIC and the Open Technology Institute (OTI) have urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to consider a broader range of harms stemming from unlawful data practices. The organizations emphasize the need for the FTC to expand its understanding of privacy injuries, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative aspects, to effectively protect consumers.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents allegedly posed as New York Police Department officers to gain access to Columbia University housing. This allowed them to detain a student, prompting a New York City council member to contact former President Trump to secure her release.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing Valve Corporation, alleging the company facilitates illegal gambling among minors through game loot boxes. The lawsuit claims Valve knowingly profits from the sale of these loot boxes, which resemble gambling by offering randomized in-game items.
Florida is considering legislation to create its own 'spy squad,' raising concerns among Muslim communities about potential targeting. An Israeli spyware firm is reportedly tracking the GOP legislation, according to lobbying disclosures.
EFF's EFFector newsletter discusses the dangers of online age verification laws and the fight for privacy and free speech online. This issue covers Discord's mandatory age verification, a leaked Meta memo on face-scanning smart glasses, and a Super Bowl surveillance ad.
The article discusses the importance of using password managers to defend against phishing and data breaches by generating and automatically filling unique passwords for each site. It highlights the protections offered by password managers, including preventing password reuse and mitigating the impact of data breaches, while also discussing the evolution of built-in password managers in browsers and operating systems.
The article discusses the importance of using password managers to protect against phishing and data breaches. It acknowledges potential flaws in some password manager implementations but emphasizes that using a password manager remains a critical security investment. It also touches on built-in password managers like iCloud Keychain and Google Password Manager.
Discord is delaying the rollout of its age verification feature due to security vulnerabilities discovered by researchers. Privacy International found that the feature, which requires users to submit photos of their IDs, exposed users to potential risks, including data breaches and identity theft.
EPIC and other consumer protection groups are urging the FTC to create a rule requiring companies to disclose when they use "surveillance pricing." This practice involves companies collecting and analyzing consumer data to personalize pricing, often without the consumer's knowledge or consent.
The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has fined Reddit £14.47 million (over $19.5 million) for violating data protection laws. Reddit is accused of collecting and using the personal information of children under 13 without proper safeguards, a breach of the UK's data protection regulations.
The UK's data protection regulator, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), has fined Reddit £14.47 million for failing to adequately protect children's data. Reddit plans to appeal the fine, arguing that it doesn't want to collect private data.
Kentucky has introduced the Kids Code (HB 633), modeled after EPIC's Age-Appropriate Design Code. The legislation aims to protect children online by promoting safer platform design and giving them more control over their online experiences, focusing on privacy and mitigating harmful design choices.
EPIC testified in support of Virginia SB338, which aims to ban the sale of precise geolocation data. The bill has already passed the Virginia Senate and is now under consideration by the House of Delegates Communications, Technology and Innovation Committee.
Seventeen organizations have filed an amicus brief raising concerns about coercive and pretextual federal investigation tactics. They are advocating for greater judicial oversight to prevent potential abuses of power during these investigations.
The article argues that the US desperately needs new federal privacy laws. It highlights the existing patchwork of state-level and international regulations, such as GDPR in Europe and various state laws in the US, as insufficient to adequately address privacy risks.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) supports legislation halting the sale of precise geolocation data, arguing it would curb harmful abuses of personal data. EPIC emphasizes the growing urgency of addressing these issues, especially considering recent reports of data misuse.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) has requested the FTC to investigate Meta's planned facial recognition feature in smart glasses, citing risks of stalking, harassment, and doxxing. EPIC argues that this feature poses a significant privacy risk and warrants immediate regulatory scrutiny.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) highlights potential privacy concerns regarding the use of smart glasses in courtrooms, particularly the risk of surreptitious recording. EPIC's executive director suggests judges will likely strongly oppose unauthorized recording of proceedings due to existing courtroom regulations.
The New Jersey Age-Appropriate Design Code (NJ AADC) has advanced out of the General Assembly Committee on Science, Innovation and Technology. EPIC Counsel Suzanne Bernstein testified in support of the bill, suggesting improvements to further strengthen it.
Ring has cancelled its partnership with Flock, a surveillance technology company. This highlights growing concerns and toxicity surrounding surveillance tech companies.
The Washington Supreme Court ruled that a lawsuit against Amazon can proceed, concerning the company's sale and promotion of toxic chemicals to teenagers. EPIC filed an amicus brief arguing that Amazon's consumer surveillance capabilities contradict its claim of being unable to identify vulnerable users seeking suicide-related products.
Representative Lori Trahan has released a report titled "Privacy, Trust, and Effective Government: A Bipartisan Blueprint for Modernizing the Privacy Act," which outlines ten recommendations to improve the Privacy Act of 1974. The report is informed by comments submitted by EPIC and other organizations.
EPIC supports Maryland's Protection from Predatory Pricing Act, which aims to ban surveillance pricing by food retailers. Surveillance pricing uses personal data to set individualized prices, potentially exploiting consumers. EPIC also suggested improvements to strengthen the bill.
Privacy International discusses the implications of Prosus's acquisition on JustEat drivers, focusing on privacy concerns and surveillance resulting from increased technological integration and data collection. The article suggests that the buyout could lead to intensified tracking and monitoring of drivers, potentially impacting their rights and autonomy.
The UK government is set to mandate that social media platforms remove illegally shared intimate images within 48 hours, aligning them with content like terrorism and child sexual abuse material. This new regulation aims to provide victims with quicker recourse against the spread of such images.
Poland's Ministry of Defence has banned cars manufactured in China, or any vehicles equipped with technology capable of recording location, images, or sound, from entering protected military facilities. The ban is due to concerns about potential espionage and data collection.
EPIC filed an amicus brief in National Retail Federation v. James, arguing that New York's surveillance pricing transparency law does not violate the First Amendment. The law requires businesses to inform users when prices are set using surveillance pricing, a growing practice that uses individual data to determine prices.
Citizen Lab discovered that Kenyan authorities used Cellebrite's forensic extraction tool on a Kenyan activist's phone while in police custody. This is another instance of such technology being misused against civil society members. The incident highlights potential abuses of commercial surveillance tools.
A security researcher discovered 287 Chrome extensions that exfiltrate browser history, potentially enabling corporate espionage and credential harvesting. The affected extensions include VPNs, productivity tools, and shopping add-ons, many with hundreds of thousands or millions of users. Some extensions requested broad host permissions allowing them to monitor navigation events and page activities across domains.
The article discusses Sharif Street, a potential candidate for Philadelphia's first Muslim Congressman, and his ambiguous stance on Israel. He lacks a stated Israel policy on his website and has been associated with a pro-Israel fundraising page, suggesting an attempt to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters in a competitive primary.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is urging the Wisconsin Legislature to reject S.B. 130/A.B. 105, an age-verification bill that effectively bans VPN access to certain websites. The EFF argues this bill is technically unworkable, creates a privacy nightmare, and censors lawful speech.
The article discusses ICE's plans to create immigrant detention camps in warehouses and the local resistance efforts aiming to halt these projects. It highlights that while ICE possesses the necessary funding, local pressure is proving effective in stopping these projects.
This article from The Intercept argues that sports and politics are intertwined, and athletes have the right to express political opinions, even criticizing figures like Trump, during the Olympics. The piece encourages athletes to use the Olympic platform to speak out on political issues.
The article argues that San Jose should end its use of Flock Safety's automated license plate readers (ALPRs) due to the risk they pose to immigrants and other vulnerable populations. ALPRs track vehicle movements, creating databases accessible to law enforcement and, potentially, federal agencies like ICE, raising concerns about misuse for immigration enforcement. Several other California localities are reconsidering or have already discontinued their ALPR programs due to similar concerns and unauthorized data access.
The EFF, Center for Just Journalism, and IPVM have released a report titled "Selling Safety" to aid journalists in critically evaluating police surveillance technology. The report aims to help journalists understand the industry's marketing tactics, assess the real costs and benefits, and report on privacy and accountability issues related to these technologies.
A U.S. rescue plane took 45 hours to reach survivors of a boat strike, occurring in waters where survival time is limited to approximately one hour. The delay raises concerns about the efficiency and responsiveness of rescue operations in such critical situations.
Air Force maintenance staff have reportedly been on a decade-long purchasing spree of luxury knives using taxpayer money, despite not needing them. The article highlights potential misuse and waste of government funds within the Air Force's maintenance departments.
The article discusses concerns about potential government censorship of literature deemed 'dangerous,' drawing parallels to restrictions faced by incarcerated individuals. The author, a prison writer, expresses worry that these censorship practices could extend beyond prisons and affect the general public's access to information.
Palantir has secured millions of dollars in contracts with New York City's public hospitals. Activists are pressuring the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation to end its relationship with the company, citing Palantir's work as a contractor for ICE.
The article discusses privacy concerns related to Ring doorbell cameras, focusing on the Nancy Guthrie case and a Ring Super Bowl advertisement which highlight surveillance fears. Data-privacy advocates, like the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), express skepticism about Ring's commitment to community safety and call for additional federal protections.
EPIC is urging the FTC and state attorneys general to investigate and block Meta's plan to add facial recognition and surveillance capabilities to its Ray-Ban Meta glasses. The organization expresses concerns about privacy and potential misuse of the technology.
Meta is considering adding face recognition to its smart glasses, a move criticized by the EFF due to privacy concerns and potential legal battles. The EFF highlights the risks of mass surveillance, data breaches, and discrimination, and points to Meta's previous $7 billion settlement related to face recognition technology.
Leaked information revealed that a deportation case against Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk was based solely on an op-ed she co-wrote. This revelation led to the dismissal of the case, which was seen as a chilling attack on free speech.
An EMT recounts being prevented by federal agents from administering CPR to Alex Pretti, who later died. The EMT says she was begging agents to allow her to provide aid.
Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat running for Senate in Texas, has pledged to avoid corporate cash but transferred funds from her House campaign. The article highlights a potential conflict between her stated stance and previous financial activities.
