Policy

State Data Privacy Bills Growing More Widespread

Ohio lawmakers have introduced legislation to establish “data rights” for citizens. It follows Colorado, which passed a similar law last week.

Digital Government

Bipartisan Calls to Regulate Facial Recognition Tech Grow Louder

Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle have concerns about increased use of biometric technology.

Policy

Biden Executive Order on Competition Includes ‘Big Tech’

The executive order includes 72 programs and actions for the administration to take, four of which focus on increasing competition within the technology sector.

Ideas

Researchers: Users Shouldn't Be on the Hook for Data Security

In reality, we have almost no power over our data and who uses it for what, according to the study.

Emerging Tech

Lawmakers Renew Effort to Ban Federal Agencies from Using Facial Recognition Tech

The reintroduced bill would prohibit agencies from using biometric tech and block federal funds for biometric surveillance systems.

Emerging Tech

Baltimore Latest City to Consider Banning Facial Recognition Technology

The Maryland city joins several other localities that have banned or are assessing the controversial technology, or are limiting its scope and use.

Ideas

Body Cameras Help Monitor Police but Can Invade People's Privacy

Records laws allow many videos to end up on YouTube but few address how to deal with the personal information of those filmed.

Policy

Online, Mug Shots Are Forever. Some States Want to Change That.

People are innocent until proven guilty, but the public release of mug shots taken at the time of arrest can become a barrier to housing, employment and personal relationships.

Emerging Tech

DHS Drops Proposal to Expand Immigration-Related Biometrics Collection

The Biden administration withdrew the controversial rule, which garnered more than 5,000 comments when it was proposed last fall.

Digital Government

Bill Would Force Intelligence, Law Enforcement to Obtain Warrants Before Buying Americans’ Data

As with other tech companies, agencies would have to obtain court orders to compel data brokers to turn over information.

Digital Government

Bill Would Prohibit Sale of Americans’ Personal Data to Adversarial Countries

The proposal would establish an interagency group to categorize data, then develop a list of countries banned from importing individuals’ data that could threaten national security.

Digital Government

Senate Bill Would Force Companies to Safeguard Consumer Data

The bill outlines “reasonable” duties of care, loyalty and confidentiality for companies to follow or face fines.

Modernization

For State's COVID Contact Tracing Apps, Privacy Tops Utility

More than 28 million people in the United States have downloaded the mobile apps or activated exposure notifications on their smartphones

Emerging Tech

Advocacy Groups Again Ask CBP to Withdraw Biometrics Expansion Proposal

Customs and Border Protection accepted a second round of comments after the change in administrations. 

Policy

Consumer Privacy Bill Would Set National Data Privacy Standard

The legislation would require companies to write their privacy policies in plain English.

Modernization

CBP Attempts to Mitigate Privacy Risks Created by New Customs App

CBP One will become the primary public-facing portal for a number of customs programs and services. But any new data collection effort brings privacy risks.

Digital Government

Veterans Affairs Rolls Out Ethics Framework for Guarding Vets’ Data

The agency aims to set expectations around who can manage, view and access veteran data.