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According to Calli Schroeder, a senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, attempts to ban TikTok are seen as mere “security theater.” Legislators are pushing for such measures to appear proactive, despite the understanding that they do not address the core issues at hand. Schroeder highlights that banning TikTok would not significantly impact China's access to American data.As the debate surrounding the potential ban of TikTok continues, Schroeder's perspective sheds light on the underlying motivations behind such actions. Stay informed as the situation...

Arlington, Va. (April 2, 2024) - Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) President and CEO Eric Fanning has expressed his appreciation for the Department of Defense's first-ever Commercial Space Integration Strategy. Fanning commended the Administration's focus on promoting and integrating the space industry within the Department of Defense, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the fast-paced changes in the space sector to support national security efforts.Fanning stated, "The commercial space industry has always been a critical contributor to our national security...

Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has requested Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to veto the state's social media bill, which aims to enforce age verification for online users. In a letter sent on Tuesday, CCIA expressed concerns about the bill's effectiveness and its potential violation of Constitutional rights.CCIA, a longstanding advocate for information access and telecommunications law, highlighted the implications of the proposed legislation. CCIA State Policy Director Khara Boender emphasized the organization's stance, stating,...

In a recent development, a judge has sided with a conservative group in its efforts to access and publish voter rolls online. The ruling has sparked concerns among privacy advocates and experts in the field.John Davisson, the director of litigation at the Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Center, expressed his concerns about the implications of the federal rulings in New Mexico and Maine. He highlighted that the rulings preserve state voter confidentiality programs for assault and stalking victims, which conceal home addresses. However, Davisson noted that...

Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has raised objections to Minnesota’s SF 4696, expressing concerns over its potential impact on freedom of speech. The organization provided written comments opposing the bill during a hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.In its statement, CCIA highlighted that SF 4696 aims to regulate digital services' editorial discretion through the use of algorithms and by imposing engagement limits. The association stated that the bill could infringe on fundamental First Amendment...

The National Park Service has announced a meeting of the National Historic Landmarks Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 and Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern). It will be held virtually, with instructions and access information available online.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is facing scrutiny over the security of phone network infrastructure amid concerns raised by experts in the field. Chris Frascella, a counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, expressed both optimism and apprehension regarding the FCC's actions in a recent communication.Frascella commended the FCC for its focus on location data, stating, "It’s encouraging to see the FCC’s continued attention to location data." He also expressed optimism about the commission's commitment, saying, "I am optimistic that the commission...

Chairman Mike Gallagher and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party have raised concerns about Chinese biotech companies operating in the U.S. and their potential ties to the Chinese military. In a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the lawmakers highlighted the need to identify and label Chinese companies aiding the CCP in military biotech research as ‘Chinese Military Companies.’Gallagher and Krishnamoorthi emphasized the urgency of the situation,...

The Justice Department announced today that two directors of Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (WBD) have resigned from the WBD board after the Antitrust Division expressed concerns that their positions on both the WBD and Charter Communications Inc. boards violated Section 8 of the Clayton Act (Section 8)."In enacting Section 8 of the Clayton Act, Congress was concerned that competitors who shared directors would compete less vigorously to provide better services and lower prices. We will continue to vigorously enforce the antitrust laws when necessary to address overreach by...

The National Park Service has announced it is soliciting electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before March 23, 2024, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places. Comments should be submitted electronically by April 16, 2024.

This week, the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) unveiled a report focusing on the overpopulation estimates of wild horses and burros on public lands. The document indicates that the overpopulation issue has seen a decline since 2020.

An Oklahoma-based multi-facility nursing care organization has settled a case with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The case revolved around ensuring patients' access to health records, as stipulated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Right of Access provision.

Dr. George Calhoun is a Professor and Director at the Hamlin Financial Systems Center at Stevens Institute of Technology. He was Chairman of a company's engineering joint venture with Rafael Armament Development Authority, a branch of the Israeli government.

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) have jointly expressed their opposition to the New York Senate’s budget bill, particularly concerning the inclusion of the New York Privacy Act. In a letter, the CDT and EPIC highlighted that the act does not go far enough in safeguarding the privacy of New Yorkers."We hope they remove it from the budget bill and continue improving it," stated the CDT and EPIC in their letter.The organizations are advocating for stronger measures to be put in place to ensure the protection...

The Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health has declared that 80 health organizations have penned a letter to Congress, emphasizing the importance of nutrition and conservation in farm policy. The letter also outlines opportunities for lawmakers to enhance health equity and address the climate crisis.

Forbes recently reported on the controversy surrounding an AI app named Calmara, which claims to detect sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from photos of genitals, labeling it as a privacy 'disaster'. The app's launch has sparked a wave of criticism, particularly focusing on issues of consent, data privacy, and the risk of child sexual abuse material being stored on its servers.Sara Geoghegan, a counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, emphasized concerns about the app's approach, stating, "I don’t think a solution is taking photos of someone else’s...

BRUSSELS – Ahead of the 6th U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) ministerial meeting on 4-5 April, the global tech trade association ITI, the Information Technology Industry Council, has called on U.S. and EU policymakers to revamp the structure of the TTC to improve its effectiveness and ensure lasting dialogue between the two regions. Speaking on the importance of strengthening the TTC, ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman emphasized, “To make the TTC a durable forum for EU-U.S. relations, policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic will need to course correct.” He...

In a world where technology is rapidly advancing, keeping up with the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) regulation can be a daunting task. Trackers like Dotan’s aim to simplify this process by consolidating information in one place, as highlighted by an unknown speaker who stated, "Trackers like Dotan’s help bring together all the information in one place."Additionally, organizations such as the Electronic Privacy Information Center play a crucial role in tracking the various state AI laws that are being proposed and enacted. An unknown speaker emphasized...

The Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe's monthly Tech Policy Brief for March 2024 has highlighted critical technology and internet policy issues under debate in Europe, the U.S., and internationally. The briefing aims to help shape policies that promote rights in the digital world. The team at CDT Europe, including Asha Allen, Silvia Lorenzo Perez, Laura Lazaro Cabrera, and David Klotsonis, is available in Brussels for further inquiries.One significant event mentioned in the brief is the DSA and Platform Regulation Conference held in Amsterdam, following the...

Representative Mike Gallagher (R-WI) has stated that the agriculture sector is a "prime target and a priority" for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in its "economic warfare against the United States." Gallagher, who serves as Chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP, made these remarks during his testimony before the House Agriculture Committee at "The Danger China Poses to American Agriculture" hearing on March 21.

Privacy advocates are lauding the efforts of states like Maryland and Vermont as they push forward with legislation aimed at curbing the collection of vast amounts of personal information by companies. The focus on data minimization is gaining momentum at the state level, with many states seeking to protect consumers' privacy rights."We’re happy to see states like Maryland and Vermont prioritizing consumers’ expectations about how their data will be used rather than simply allowing companies to collect and use data however they want, as long as they disclose what they’re...

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has submitted comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in response to a Request for Comment regarding the risks and benefits of "open foundation models." This submission is part of a proceeding mandated by section 4.6 of the U.S. Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.In their submission, the CDT emphasized the importance of considering the potential policy approaches to these models and how they should be regulated. The CDT's...

WASHINGTON—In response to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) releasing a report on promoting AI accountability, the Center for Data Innovation's Senior Policy Manager Hodan Omaar expressed concerns about the direction being taken."NTIA’s report on AI accountability is a mixed bag. It tells U.S. policymakers to do three things—provide guidance, support, and regulations on AI," Omaar stated. While acknowledging the value of guidance and support in enhancing accountability, Omaar raised a red flag regarding the emphasis on regulatory...

Today, global tech trade association ITI responded to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) request for information related to NTIA’s assignments in U.S. President Biden’s Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence.In its comments, ITI recommended that NTIA adopt a risk-based approach for policy recommendations, acknowledge the gradient of openness in defining openness, recognize risk management as a shared responsibility across the AI value chain, and engage in discussions with key international allies and...

Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association submitted comments to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration on Artificial Intelligence on how to understand the benefits of open-source development models in artificial intelligence.The CCIA emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear distinction between dual-use and non-dual use public innovation models in order to ensure the viability of open-source AI development. They noted that without this distinction, such approaches could become inaccessible for all but the most...