Privacy
Democrats urge consumer product agency halt public health modernization project
The lawmakers say the project is particularly concerning as the Trump administration has a “broader pattern” of “seeking unprecedented access to Americans’ private data.”
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Trump administration softens demand for hospitals to share emergency room medical records
A consumer safety agency is assuring hospitals that participation in an injury surveillance system overhaul is voluntary despite earlier correspondence obtained by Nextgov/FCW claiming they are required to join.
Blue states seek to stop DHS from accessing commercial driver's license database
In a court filing, a coalition of Democrat-led states says the Department of Homeland Security’s demand for trucker data is part of a broader effort to create a “nationwide surveillance system.”
Congress tries again on national preemptive data privacy law
House Republican leaders unveiled two new bills last week in the latest federal attempt to regulate data privacy, preempting states’ existing laws.
Lawmaker pitches blueprint for post-DOGE privacy overhaul
Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., wants to redo the government's main privacy law to ensure people’s information is “handled responsibly” when in government hands.
Lawmakers warn that UK’s Apple backdoor demand ‘sets a dangerous precedent’
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, said "forcing companies to circumvent their own encrypted services in the name of security is the beginning of a dangerous slippery slope."
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Democrats worry DOGE may have violated privacy, cybersecurity law in taking NLRB data
Last month, a whistleblower accused DOGE affiliates of using secretive methods to take sensitive data from the National Labor Relations Board.
Civil liberties groups urge spy chief to declassify parts of contested surveillance program
Tulsi Gabbard’s views on the Section 702 program have run atypical to those of past spy chiefs, but it’s not clear what declassification authorities she immediately has.
‘What did you do last week?’ Feds get mixed signals on whether to respond
Responses to the new governmentwide email system are meant to be voluntary, as OPM has advised agencies, but billionaire Elon Musk has said feds risk their employment if they choose not to respond — and some agencies are still telling feds to do so.
Lawmaker looks to strengthen security of U.S. communications following UK’s Apple backdoor order
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., released a discussion draft of a measure to reform the CLOUD Act after the UK ordered Apple to build a backdoor into encrypted iCloud backups.
Lawmakers ask DNI to reassess UK cyber, intel ties over Apple backdoor mandate
The court order issued by the United Kingdom centers on the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act, which was reportedly invoked to demand Apple provide a backdoor into users’ encrypted iCloud backups.
OPM skirted agency norms in assessing the privacy of its new email system
Anonymous federal employees filed a lawsuit alleging that the new email system could be placing their sensitive personal information at risk.
Trump axes Democrats on intelligence and privacy oversight board
The removals come as Congress is set to decide next year whether to renew a controversial surveillance authority that’s been scrutinized by the board.
US proposes rule to prevent the sale of financial data to foreign adversaries
Data brokers would have to comply under terms set by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, in an effort that aims to stop exploitation of Americans’ data overseas.
UN cybercrime convention will ‘legitimize’ authoritarian nations’ cyber behavior, senators warn
The proposed treaty has ignited debate among officials, as it may offer adversaries a stronger voice in international discussions about cybersecurity and surveillance.
White House probes the collision of AI and personal data
Policymakers are examining how the advent of artificial intelligence could create new privacy risks around the federal agency purchase and use of personal information from data brokers.
House pivots on data privacy bill, removing algorithmic discrimination coverage
The intended final draft of the American Privacy Rights Act includes new language on biometric data and data on minors, but notably removes civil rights protections sought by privacy advocates.
Senate passes FAA reauthorization without TSA biometrics amendment
A group of bipartisan senators hoped to use the must-pass measure to pause rollouts of the Transportation Security Administration’s facial recognition technology at new airports.
Large-language models demand huge amounts of data. Lawmakers want to know what that means for user privacy
A bipartisan effort is underway in the House and Senate to pass national data privacy standards, but Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., and others are concerned that companies are pushing back on data minimization in the race to field AI applications.
Spy agencies must craft safeguards for using sensitive commercial data, ODNI says
The new framework follows a report last year that showed the intelligence community frequently relies on purchased sensitive information.
