privacy Archives

\A light rain falls outside of the U.S. Supreme Court ahead of the release of new opinions on June 23, 2026. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Supreme Court delivers ‘major win’ for tech privacy in Chatrie ruling

Dissenting justices who criticized the ruling said it would have “seismic” implications for the Fourth Amendment.

6 days ago By Tim Starks

In an email, an ATF spokesperson confirmed to CyberScoop that the contract had been canceled, describing it as a limited pilot project for capabilities the agency was no longer seeking. (Image Source: Getty Images)

ATF cancels controversial commercial geolocation contract

The agency told CyberScoop the tool was a pilot that didn’t meet their needs. Members of Congress say it was accessed for hundreds of active cases.

Jun 26, 2026 By Derek B. Johnson

In this photo illustration, the Cellebrite logo is displayed on the screen of a tablet. (Photo Illustration by Sheldon Cooper/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Russia uses Cellebrite to break into human rights activist’s phone, even after cancellation of contract

The phone-cracking firm broke off from its deal with Russia, but Citizen Lab said that didn’t stop authorities from surveilling Andrey Pivovarov.

Jun 25, 2026 By Tim Starks

Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., arrives to the U.S. Capitol for the last votes of the week on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

One House Democrat is pressing Commerce on the government’s spyware use

Rep. Summer Lee’s letter, first reported by CyberScoop, follows ICE confirmation of using spyware and news of a Trump ally becoming NSO Group’s executive chairman.

May 7, 2026 By Tim Starks

A college student is suing a dating app that allegedly used her TikTok videos to target men in her dormitory

The woman’s lawyer told CyberScoop they believe the company edited her video to suggest she was a “friend with benefits” and intentionally geofenced it to men around…

May 4, 2026 By Derek B. Johnson

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks at a press conference with other members of Senate Republican leadership following a policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on April 21, 2026. (Photo by Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Congress kicks the can down the road on surveillance law (again)

It’s the second extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in 10 days, and a regular ritual for the Hill.

Apr 30, 2026 By Tim Starks

Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-ll., speaks during an oversight forum with Democratic members of the House Homeland Security Committee at the U.S. Capitol Building on July 22, 2025. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Rep. Delia Ramirez takes over as top House cybersecurity Dem

She replaces Rep. Eric Swalwell following his resignation, giving her the position of ranking member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection.

Apr 28, 2026 By Tim Starks

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

U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., departs a Democratic luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 6, 2025. (Photo by Eric Lee/Getty Images)

Senators seek answers about hackers obtaining sensitive student data from ostensibly anonymous tip line

Sens. Maggie Hassan and Jim Banks wrote to Navigate360 after a hacker claimed to compromise the school safety tool.

Apr 27, 2026 By Tim Starks

WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 16: The American flag flies above the U.S. Capitol building during a press conference on Capitol Hill. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

Latest spy power reauthorization bill leaves critics unimpressed

An April 30 deadline is looming to extend expiring Section 702 powers, and the newest legislation to re-up it is drawing fire from the left and right.

Apr 24, 2026 By Tim Starks