Electronic Privacy Information Center
Recent News About Electronic Privacy Information Center
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Defanging or overturning the New Jersey statute would “pose an existential threat to the future of privacy law. It would have repercussions far beyond Daniel’s Law,” said Megan Iorio, counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
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The potential consequences of an unknown party accessing your DNA are vast and uncertain, given the evolving understanding of the genome. Drugmakers could potentially use your genetic information to determine what ailments you are at risk for and then target you with advertisements for related drugs.
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The U.S. Supreme Court is showing skepticism towards state regulations on social media, according to the New York State Bar Association. The scrutiny centers around potential First Amendment challenges to these laws.
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Chicago has decided to stop using the controversial ShotSpotter gunshot detection system. This decision follows a petition from the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), which raised concerns about the impact of acoustic gunshot detection tools on majority-minority neighborhoods.
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John Davisson, senior counsel and director of litigation at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, advises consumers to thoroughly review their insurer’s website before enrolling in a telematics program. This includes understanding which data points are collected and how that data is used. Given the complexity of legal texts in data privacy agreements, Davisson suggests calling the insurer for specific clarifications.
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Senator Ed Markey has introduced the Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act of 2024. The legislation aims to address biases and ensure transparency in AI systems used in decision-making processes that affect individuals' rights, civil liberties, and livelihoods.
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City data showed that police have received 1,751 ShotSpotter alerts so far in 2024, on track to match last year’s nearly 2,900 gunfire detections. Critics argue that the technology is flawed.
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The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals recently issued a significant ruling in the case of U.S. v. Jamarr Smith, determining that geofence warrants are "categorically prohibited by the Fourth Amendment." Geofence warrants require companies like Google to provide data on every device within a specific geographical area over a set period. These warrants have been contentious, with privacy experts arguing they constitute dragnet searches that infringe on the privacy of many innocent individuals. Conversely, supporters believe they are essential for solving crimes in today's digital...
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Social media and online video companies are engaging in extensive surveillance of their users, according to findings by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC's report indicates that these firms prioritize profit over consumer protection and privacy.
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California drivers can now obtain mobile licenses on their iPhones, though they will still need to carry physical licenses. This development follows a September 2023 analysis by the Electronic Privacy Information Center, which revealed that approximately half of AI contracts signed by state agencies are for fraud detection.
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The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) has recently expressed support for the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) initiative to protect the public from misleading AI-generated political content. However, EPIC has raised concerns that without additional measures, the current disclosure and transparency rules may not effectively mitigate the negative impacts of AI-generated content in political advertisements.
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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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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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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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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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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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Calhoun and others appealed to the 9th Circuit, drawing attention from external parties such as the Electronic Privacy Information Center.
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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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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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Some of the provisions in the proposed FTC rule mirror the language in COPPA 2.0, while others are only in the legislation.