Electronic Privacy Information Center
Recent News About Electronic Privacy Information Center
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Amazon's use of grocery purchase data raises concerns over health privacy laws
Amazon's use of consumer data, particularly in relation to grocery purchases and prescription drug sales, has raised concerns about privacy laws and protections. Suzanne Bernstein, a legal fellow at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), highlighted the limitations of HIPAA, the federal law that protects health privacy. According to Bernstein, "HIPAA only applies to health care providers, insurers, and companies that manage medical records," which means it does not cover Amazon purchases.
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California Senate approves bill requiring browser developers to offer opt-out tool
The California Senate has approved a bill mandating browser developers to provide an opt-out tool. Advocacy groups, including Consumer Reports and the Electronic Privacy Information Center, along with trade organization Digital Content Next (representing publishers), support the bill. In a letter sent to state lawmakers in March, these groups stated that the proposed law "will help reduce opt-out friction and make it easier for California residents to control their data."
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ACLU urges safeguards in Maryland's police use of facial recognition tech
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has called for additional safeguards in Maryland's policy governing police use of facial recognition technology. Jeramie Scott, the director of the project on surveillance oversight at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), commented on the ACLU’s recommendations.
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Consumer groups urge FCC for broader data disclosure on device labels
The consumer filing has urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to mandate the release of a broad spectrum of information as part of labeling requirements. The filing enumerates various types of sensors on devices, such as cameras, microphones, thermometers, and presence sensors. It also highlights the data and inferences these sensors collect, particularly if they can detect location or sensitive personal information.
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Privacy advocates protest use of facial recognition at stadiums
Protesters at Citi Field represented 11 organizations that signed an open letter opposing the use of facial recognition systems at stadiums. The groups included Fight for the Future, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, and Amnesty International. The letter contends that “not only does facial recognition pose unprecedented threats to people’s privacy and safety, it’s also completely unnecessary.”
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Court revives privacy lawsuit against Google over Chrome tracking
Calhoun and others appealed to the 9th Circuit, drawing attention from external parties such as the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
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Auchincloss calls for tech accountability in battle against ‘deepfake porn
The Intimacy Privacy Protection Act creates a duty for social media platforms to remove such content and then save all related data for potential criminal charges or civil litigation by the victim, Auchincloss explained.
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Individuals using false personal details online for protection
John Davisson, senior counsel and director of litigation at the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center, discussed a common practice among individuals regarding personal information online. "It’s a common technique for individuals to use false or pseudonymous contact information and birthdays and other personal details," Davisson stated. He explained that this approach can offer protection in the event of a data breach or if companies intend to use the information for targeted advertising or sell it to data brokers. By providing inaccurate details, users ensure that...
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FTC rule could significantly affect online safety and privacy for children
Some of the provisions in the proposed FTC rule mirror the language in COPPA 2.0, while others are only in the legislation.
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Virginia law criticized for insufficient consumer protections
The Virginia law received an F grade in a 2024 report by the Electronic Privacy Information Center and US PIRG Education Fund due to its lack of substantial consumer protections.
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Wrongful death suit against Disney highlights concerns over digital agreements
A wrongful death lawsuit against Disney has brought attention to the often-overlooked implications of clicking "I agree" on digital agreements. John Davisson, director of litigation at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, emphasized the challenges consumers face with these contracts.
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Experts discuss risks of sharing Social Security numbers
Your Social Security number is also mandatory for anything that triggers tax reporting, including your employer reporting your wages to the IRS, said Alan Butler, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a nonprofit focused on defending privacy and identity rights.
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Concerns raised over Worldcoin's biometric data collection practices
The Electronic Privacy Information Center, a think tank based in Washington, expressed significant concerns about the Worldcoin project last year. In a statement, Jake Wiener, the group's legal counsel, highlighted two primary issues. “Worldcoin’s approach creates serious privacy risks by bribing the poorest and most vulnerable people to turn over unchangeable biometrics like iris scans and facial recognition images in exchange for a small payout,” Wiener stated. He further noted, “Mass collections of biometrics like Worldcoin threaten people’s privacy on a grand scale, both...
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Utility proposal to report hidden marijuana operations raises privacy concerns
The nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center believes a proposed regulatory rule by an electric utility company could be unconstitutional. The rule would permit the utility to share private consumer information with law enforcement without "probable cause, warrant, or judicial review," according to Alan Butler, the group's executive director.
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Utility company's proposal to share consumer data raises privacy concerns
The nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center has raised concerns about a regulatory proposal that would allow an electric utility to share private consumer information with law enforcement. Alan Butler, the group's executive director, stated that such a rule would be unconstitutional because it permits the provision of private information without "probable cause, no warrant, no judicial review."
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Privacy advocates urge caution over TSA's new photo requirement
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun implementing a new policy requiring passengers to have their photos taken before flying. Privacy advocates are raising concerns over this move, urging travelers to consider opting out.
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Senate passes divisive kids online safety bill with ad restrictions for minors
Provisions in the bill could limit how third-party companies advertise to anyone under 17. COPPA 2.0 includes a ban on so-called individual-specific targeted advertising to young users, forbidding companies from using certain personalized data, such as a person’s phone location or web-surfing history, to send tailored ads to most minors, said Suzanne Bernstein, a law fellow specializing in data protection and consumer privacy at the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center.
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White House report endorses open-source AI
A recent White House report has endorsed the use of open-source artificial intelligence (AI), drawing on feedback from a diverse range of stakeholders. These conclusions were informed by responses from government employees, industry leaders, and individuals to a Request for Comment on AI model issues.
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Meta reaches $1.4 billion settlement with Texas over privacy violations
Meta has reached a $1.4 billion settlement with the state of Texas over privacy violations, The New York Times reported on July 30, 2024.
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Regulators face challenge of AI's data needs versus privacy laws
Regulators are now faced with the decision of whether to accept arguments from tech firms that are training large language models on vast amounts of data.