Electronic Privacy Information Center
Recent News About Electronic Privacy Information Center
-
"Chris Baumohl, a law fellow at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, said in an interview this new section is particularly worrisome. In an era when digital information swirls throughout daily life, there’s a difference between what private technology companies and the U.S. government can do.
-
Los Angeles Times reported on April 29, 2024, that Caitriona Fitzgerald, the deputy director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, expressed her views on the need for a robust privacy law to combat intrusions by Big Tech companies. Fitzgerald emphasized the importance of ensuring that any preemptive legislation is more stringent than current state laws, pointing out that the existing laws may not be sufficient.
-
John Davisson, the director of litigation at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, has criticized the government's actions against TikTok, citing concerns over privacy and constitutional rights.Davisson referenced a Supreme Court case from 1969, Stanley v. Georgia, to highlight the potential infringement on individuals' rights. He emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of expression and autonomy in using technology.In response to the TikTok legislation, Davisson pointed out that it interferes with individuals' private consumption of information and...
-
Law360: Privacy Hawks Plot What’s Next After FISA Passage Apr 25 2024Privacy advocates are strategizing their next moves following the passage of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Sean Vitka, policy counsel at Demand Progress, and Chris Baumohl, a law fellow at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, are key figures in this discussion.Vitka and Baumohl, along with others, are focusing on accountability. Vitka emphasized the importance of holding officials accountable, stating, "Accountability is crucial in ensuring transparency and protecting privacy...
-
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) raised concerns about Grindr's data retention practices, prompting calls for an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In October last year, EPIC highlighted that Grindr was keeping user data even after accounts were deleted, contrary to the app's privacy policy.The accusations against Grindr are significant, particularly in light of the sensitive nature of the data involved. EPIC's concerns revolve around the potential sharing of users' HIV status without their consent, a serious violation of privacy rights....
-
Generative AI technologies are raising concerns regarding compliance with federal records laws, particularly the Freedom of Information Act. Enid Zhou, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, highlighted the potential challenges associated with generative AI and its implications on government record-keeping.Zhou emphasized the ambiguity surrounding agency and user-generated content in relation to generative AI systems. She expressed concerns about the lack of clarity in determining whether inputs, user prompts, or outputs produced by AI systems...
-
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) has raised concerns about the safety of personal phone data, stating, "Depending on the network, the data at risk can include location information, health information, religious identity, sexual orientation, facial recognition imagery, private messages, personal photos, and more."EPIC also highlighted that personal data held by social media platforms is vulnerable to being accessed and misused by third parties, including law enforcement agencies. The organization's statement brings to light the potential risks associated...
-
The U.S. House recently voted to drastically expand the Section 702 surveillance program rather than reining it in, a move that has sparked concerns among civil liberties advocates. Vinh Vuong, CEO of investment firm Garrison Fathom, expressed his apprehensions about the expansion, stating, "We are going to do everything we can from a civil liberties standpoint to educate the Senate and make sure the wording is revised to not have this expansion, as well as to have a warrant requirement."Vuong, who has been a vocal campaigner for FISA reform, previously worked as a...
-
The Electronic Privacy Information Center, represented by counsel Thomas McBrien, has raised concerns about Amazon's role in a tragedy where a chemical sold by the company led to the deaths of 15 individuals. McBrien, who supports the plaintiffs in one of the cases against Amazon, highlighted the company's fast approval processes for sellers and products, suggesting that this may lead to fewer safety checks being implemented by the e-commerce giant.According to McBrien, Amazon's swift approval procedures could result in a lack of stringent safety measures, allowing...
-
"Caitriona Fitzgerald, deputy director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), shared insights on the Maryland Online Data Privacy Act, highlighting its significance in the realm of consumer privacy legislation. Fitzgerald emphasized that the bill, if enacted, would position Maryland as the 16th state to safeguard consumer privacy, distinguishing itself with robust data minimization rules. She noted that the bill's provisions set a high standard compared to existing privacy laws in other states, stating, "Companies can only collect what’s reasonably necessary...
-
Experts are raising concerns about the illusion of health privacy online. Sara Geoghegan, Counsel to the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), a nonprofit organization advocating for stronger privacy regulations, emphasized that the responsibility for privacy protection should not solely rest on individuals. Geoghegan stated, "Web browsers and web pages should operate with those protections baked in."
-
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken action against data broker Outlogic, banning them from selling 'sensitive' locations. This decision came after privacy advocates, such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Electronic Privacy Information Center, pushed for stricter regulations on Outlogic's use of location data.In comments filed with the FTC in February, the privacy advocates stated, "The order should not introduce a distinction between ‘sensitive location data’ and other location data, as all location data is inherently sensitive in nature."The FTC's...
-
April 11, 2024The American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) has caught the attention of experts in the field, who are closely monitoring the developments in Congress. Alan Butler, Executive Director and President of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, highlighted the current urgency by stating, "The landscape has shifted since 2022; this Congress must meet the moment."Caitriona Fitzgerald, Deputy Director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, emphasized the importance of the ongoing discussions surrounding the APRA. She stated, "It’s 2024, and we find ourselves...
-
In response to proposed amendments that would expand Section 702 of the base text on government surveillance, Chris Baumohl, a law fellow at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), expressed strong concerns. Baumohl highlighted the potential implications of these amendments, stating, “As if the base text wasn’t bad enough, these amendments would all significantly expand Section 702. In particular, the weaponization of a post-9/11 warrantless surveillance authority to search for immigrants traveling to the U.S.—with no suspicion of wrongdoing whatsoever—is deeply...
-
A new piece of legislation, the Reasonable Intelligence Surveillance Authorization Act (RISAA), has sparked debate among Republicans regarding the FBI's ability to conduct surveillance without a warrant. The bill, which is positioned as a compromise between two existing bills, has raised concerns about its actual implications.According to sources, RISAA is perceived as a compromise between the Protect Liberty and End Warrantless Surveillance Act and the FISA Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2023. However, there are doubts about the true nature of this compromise, with...
-
The Register: US legislators propose American Privacy Rights Act – and it looks quite goodApr 9 2024Americans may soon live under a federal privacy law – a mere two decades after the US Federal Trade Commission urged Congress to regulate online data collection.On Monday, US representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and US senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced the American Privacy Rights Act [PDF], which aims to provide a comprehensive set of rules governing how citizens’ data is used."Today, there are 15 state privacy laws – 14 of which, according to Maryland...
-
WASHINGTON (Apr 9, 2024) - More than 200 civil advocacy groups have united in urging major tech companies to intensify their efforts in combating artificial intelligence-driven misinformation ahead of global elections. In a letter exclusively obtained by The Technology 202, the coalition of activists called on the CEOs of prominent tech firms, including Meta, Reddit, Google, and others, to implement more robust strategies to counter the spread of harmful political propaganda.Highlighting the urgency of the situation, the groups emphasized the need for proactive measures...
-
Caitriona Fitzgerald, the deputy director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, has expressed concerns regarding the new federal data privacy bill. In a statement, Fitzgerald highlighted the issue of preemption of state-level regulation, emphasizing the need for a robust law.“From our perspective—in an ideal world—it would not preempt state laws, it would allow states to pass stronger laws,” Fitzgerald stated. She further emphasized the importance of ensuring that if the bill preempts state laws, it must be stronger than existing regulations.“We recognize that...
-
In a recent article by Bloomberg Law, the importance of privacy protection in product quality has been highlighted by John Davisson, the director of litigation at the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center. Davisson emphasized that privacy is a fundamental aspect of product quality that has often been overlooked due to the limited privacy-protective options available to users.According to Davisson, "Privacy protection is a 'core dimension' of product quality." He pointed out that meaningful privacy protection stems from well-enforced regulations and a competitive...
-
Privacy advocacy groups have long sought the inclusion of data minimization in state privacy statutes. However, states considering and passing legislation in recent years showed reluctance or little appetite to go through with minimization.Caitriona Fitzgerald, Deputy Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, expressed the significance of recent developments in state privacy laws, stating, "It’s a real game-changer for consumers because it takes the onus off them to protect their privacy and instead requires companies to look at their data collection...