privacy law Archives

Gartner data indicates that “regulators are shifting their efforts away from awareness to full scale enforcement,” marking a significant shift from even the last few years in how aggressively states are investigating and penalizing companies for privacy law violations. (Image Source: Getty)

U.S. companies hit with record fines for privacy in 2025

The increase is being driven by powerful privacy laws in states like California, new interstate partnerships and a renewed focus on the privacy impacts of AI and…

Apr 28, 2026 By Derek B. Johnson

Privacy-focused mobile phone launches for high-risk individuals

The mobile company Cape’s Android-based phone complies with U.S. law but claims to offer a higher degree of privacy for users.

Nov 21, 2024 By Christian Vasquez

U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) leaves a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on December 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. Johnson was joined by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN). (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

House panel abruptly cancels federal privacy bill vote

The sweeping bill had garnered opposition from GOP leadership and others.

Jun 27, 2024 By Tim Starks

(L-R) Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Rep. Mike Gallager (R-WI) talk with reporters after the House of Representative’s voted on legislation they co-sponsored to ban TikTok at the U.S. Capitol on March 13. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Federal privacy law faces new hurdles ahead of markup

Business groups and civil rights activists have raised objections to the latest version of the legislation, due for committee consideration Thursday.

Jun 26, 2024 By Tim Starks

Visitors walk past the U.S. Capitol on September 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

House-passed data privacy bill doesn’t thrill privacy groups

A measure to address the sale of Americans’ data doesn’t go far enough to rein in the data broker industry, advocates argue.

Mar 21, 2024 By Tim Starks

EU sanctions — European Union flags in front of the European Parliament in Brussels. (Getty Images)

EU adopts more robust data privacy agreement with US

The decision provides some reassurance to US tech companies that have been in the EU’s crosshairs since Privacy Shield lapsed.

Jul 10, 2023 By Tonya Riley

Tik Tok CEO Shou Chew spoke during the New York Times DealBook Summit in the Appel Room at the Jazz At Lincoln Center on Nov. 30, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Here’s what to expect from lawmakers who will grill TikTok’s CEO on privacy, security and child safety

Lawmakers plan to press TikTok CEO Shou Chew on issues related to child exploitation, teen mental health and its connection to China.

Mar 22, 2023 By Tonya Riley

The logos social networking applications are displayed on a smartphone screen on March 14, 2022. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Rights groups: Kids’ online safety bill could put vulnerable teens at risk

The groups say the bill has laudable goals but could come with unintended consequences for vulnerable children.

Nov 28, 2022 By Tonya Riley

Congressional inquiry reveals secret Customs and Border Protection database of U.S. phone records

CBP is conducting warrantless phone searches of up to 10,000 Americans annually and storing details in a government database.

Sep 15, 2022 By Tonya Riley

Lina Khan, nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), testifies during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, April 21, 2021. (Photo by SAUL LOEB/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

FTC will explore new privacy rules to protect consumers from ‘hackers and data thieves’

Concerns about the commercial surveillance industry outlined in the agency's notice include poor data security for consumer information.

Aug 11, 2022 By Tonya Riley