Data protection and digital regulation developments, collected automatically from 17+ sources.
Get this as an email digestAt the urging of the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP), the government is working on more privacy-friendly rules for credit registration in the Netherlands. These should ensure…
More than half of young voters in recent state elections chose parties that are critical of support for Ukraine. The reason for this lies not only in classic debates, but on…
Judge Allows Social Media Surveillance Lawsuit Against Trump Administration to Move ForwardNEW YORK — A lawsuit filed by three labor unions against the Departments of State and…
A data leak or theft can cause harm to the individuals concerned. If the incident results from a breach of the GDPR, they may, under certain conditions, seek compensation. It is…
In a new blow to Ola Bini’s legal guarantees, Ecuadorean authorities retained the free software developer and security expert yesterday in Quito and ordered his immediate…
Congress is taking another run at site-blocking, a deeply flawed concept that would undermine basic internet infrastructure. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) has introduced the American…
There has been a raft of site-blocking bills in the latest Congress, and the latest is called the “Deterring Extraterritorial Foreign Exploitation of Networks Damaging…
The DPA fined an employer RON 26,236 (€5,000) for using a system to monitor its employees’ attendance and access to its premises that relies on the processing of personal data in…
InterContinental Resort, Mauritius The Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), will host the Forum on Internet Freedom in Africa 2026…
Over the years, the major tech companies have found all sorts of ways to embed themselves into our lives. We often use their software, their AI tools, their social media, and…
When state lawmakers attempt to rewrite how the internet works, users rely on courts to recognize that laws can’t make technical impossibilities a reality. That’s why we were…
If you are an Android user, you may have noticed it already: Google has begun allowing rival, third-party app stores to be distributed through the Google Play Store. And if you…
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office is the latest California law enforcement agency to get caught sharing automated license plate reader (ALPR) data from their Flock Safety system…
The National Commission on Informatics and Liberty met on Thursday, 1 October 2026 at 9:30 a.m. with the following agenda:
On the occasion of the European Cybersecurity Month, Cyber Month in France, the CNIL and Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr join forces around a new practical support to help individuals…
The DPA fined a Member of Parliament €6,000 for failing to cooperate with the DPA under Article 31 GDPR, particularly, after he refused to fully comply with repeated requests to…
On 16 September, the European Commission presented the KIDS ACT, its plan for making online experiences safer for young people. Far from being a move to lead the EU towards better…
With the launch of iOS 27, Apple is rolling out a variety of new AI features to its familiar voice assistant, Siri. But how are AI tools like these handling our data? In our…
When the rich and powerful try to use the court to silence negative reporting about themselves, it’s worth calling out that behavior for what it is: an attack on free speech. This…
San Francisco's decision to retain its use of Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) surveillance cameras belies what we know about this spying technology tool: it endangers…
People are increasingly concerned about the ways in which mass surveillance is tracking our every move: from Flock license plate readers to face recognition to creepy ads that –…
AI Minister Kanishka Narayan said he's not bothered if the U.S. gets "first dibs" on AI model testing.
Protection of voters' rights, foreign interference... Monday, November 16, 2026, from 2 p.m., the CNIL invites you to its event dedicated to the ethical issues associated with…
The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) began regularly deploying drones two years ago and has since expanded their use in a way that has outpaced its documented policy and…
Cardinal Michael Czerny who leads an AI commission at the Vatican says he just hasn’t had time to try it out.
EFF legal intern Simar Kaur also contributed to this article. Americans’ First Amendment right to equal access to official government statements is violated by the Trump…
Axel Voss, a Conservative German member of the European Parliament, told POLITICO that the EU is responding too slowly to AI threats.
European lawmakers this week called for the EU’s artificial intelligence regulations to hold American tech companies liable for the risks their most advanced models pose to…
Online sports betting company DraftKings is using AI to target customers who are most likely to place losing bets and respond to gambling promotions. This kind of targeting is a…
By a decision dated September 17, 2026, the CNIL closed the injunction issued on May 15, 2025, against SOLOCAL MARKETING SERVICES.
The National Commission for Information Technology and Civil Liberties met on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. with the following agenda:
The bloc’s new AI envoy wants Brussels to focus on using AI to lift productivity, rather than chasing U.S. and Chinese models.
The tech billionaire argued that Pope Leo XIV’s call to regulate AI could slow the West while China surges ahead with the technology.
If you’ve been forwarded this newsletter, you can sign up free here. Confide in me: Send your tips to this generic inbox, canberraplaybook@poltico.com. ESSENTIALS — It’s time to…
Over the past months, the European Commission's Digital Omnibus on Data has turned into a wider discussion about how much protection the data – and with it, the rights – of people…
Background informationDate of final decision: 21 September 2026National caseLegal Reference(s): Article 5 (Principles relating to processing of personal data), Article 6…
On September 17, 2026, the EDPS adopted guidelines on the authority of data protection authorities to impose administrative fines and the final version of its guidelines on the…
On 17 June, the European Parliament approved the new deportation law (called the “Return” Regulation) which aims to track undocumented people down and deport them from the EU in…
At least 14 people in Serbia have been targeted with spyware since the beginning of 2026, according to new findings by EDRi member SHARE Foundation. The targets include members of…
Freedom not Fear (fnf) is an annual self-organised conference on privacy and digital rights. People from all across Europe meet and work towards more freedom in the digitalised…
What has the EDRi network been up to over the past few weeks? Find out the latest digital rights news in our bi-weekly newsletter. In this edition: Turning up the heat –…
We’re excited to welcome you to #PrivacyCamp26 on 13 October, 2026 online and at La Tricoterie, Brussels. Curious about what the day will look like? Check out the final programme.
Background informationDate of final decision: 1 February 2023National caseController: SECURITAS DIRECT, S.A.Legal Reference(s): Article 12 (Transparent information, communication…
Background informationDate of final decision: 1 February 2023National caseController: SECURITAS DIRECT, S.A.Legal Reference(s): Article 12 (Transparent information, communication…
Camera glasses are rapidly gaining popularity. However, those who use them to film or photograph other people may not simply use, share, or publish those images. People who happen…
Artificial Intelligence In a leaked document, the Irish Presidency proposes to EU Member States that the interest of OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta and SpaceX to make profits…
Hybrid Side Event during UNGA81 High-Level Week
The EU Commission draft law to restrict young people’s access to the internet that it presented last week will come at a high cost: it will put online services behind age gates,…
EFF joined an amicus brief with ACLU, ACLU of D.C., National Press Photographers Association, and Professional Photographers of America to urge the D.C. Circuit to vacate an FAA…
Brussels, 21 September – During its latest plenary, the EDPB has adopted guidelines on the application of the power to impose administrative fines in relation to other corrective…
The European Council president said the EU and Canada can work together on defense, AI and strengthening democracy.
Secure messaging platforms, like Signal, WhatsApp, and recently, encrypted RCS, operate on a straightforward assumption: the content at each end of a conversation is private to…
With doomsday AI scenarios dominating the news, lawmakers are rightly concerned about reports concerning security breaches at major US AI labs, such as the OpenAI–Hugging Face…
Apple’s new operating system is here, and along with it comes a new version of Siri, dubbed with two very familiar letters: AI. As the name suggests, this Siri power-up resembles…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order is an opportunity for a needed, thoughtful conversation about artificial intelligence and its potential harms. Everyday Californians…
A California law that prohibits teens from receiving recommended social media content from other social media users violates their First Amendment rights, EFF argued this week.…
Established in 1978 under the Data Protection Act, the CNIL is an independent administrative authority composed of an 18-member board and a staff of state contract employees.
For years, Access Now and civil society have raised the alarm over Telenor’s hasty and irresponsible departure from Myanmar and the potential human rights abuses should Telenor…
The National Commission on Informatics and Liberty met on Thursday, 17 September 2026 at 9:30 a.m. with the following agenda:
“I think there’s a lot to do around how to create better disclosures,” Clem Delangue said.
Since its integration into our digital world, social media has played a pivotal role in youth organizing and social mobilization. Yet, people’s access to these platforms is…
Mass surveillance isn't a joke. But police are treating it like one when using automated license plate reader (ALPR) networks. In our latest EFFector newsletter, we're covering a…
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is honored to announce today that Alexander “amac” Macgillivray — a former White House official who also served in top legal capacities at…
Courts have for two decades found that linking and embedding someone else’s web content, be it a photo, music, or an article, doesn’t violate copyright law–the entity that…
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit handed internet users and programmers a big win today, by rejecting an attempt to stretch a narrow provision of the Digital…
The EU chief used her annual State of the European Union address to confront rising panic about AI. What she said showed the limits on her power.
Sarah Heck underscored the need for new rules governing existential risk but said the U.S. must stay in the lead on AI.
A new POLITICO Poll finds that a plurality of Americans favor pausing the development of more advanced AI models, and 63 percent say the technology poses at least a moderate risk…
In this special episode from Strasbourg, Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart give their first take on the State of the European Union speech delivered by Commission President Ursula…
The company is endorsing three bills to standardize biological data and defend against threats amplified by advanced artificial intelligence.
The head of one of the most profitable tech companies pushed arguments voiced by the president at a major AI conference as other industry leaders call for a slowdown.
On 14 September, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) organized its first Societal Consultation with broad representation from civil society organizations.
The company’s top lobbyist believes there’s still a window for policy.
The federal government has inserted a provision into a funding deal with the state of California that would make the state abandon its gold standard net neutrality law, broadband…
We, the undersigned organisations and experts, write to urge you to act before Canada’s Senate completes its consideration of Bill C-22, the Lawful Access Act, and to press Canada…
Access Now, alongside several European civil society organisations, are urging Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, European Union commissioners, and…
Here's a riddle: Why did a Goshen Police Department officer search 6,474 automated license plate reader (ALPR) networks, representing data from 82,413 cameras, on May 7, 2025? If…
Background informationDate of final decision: 21 July 2026National caseLegal Reference(s): Article 12 (Transparent information, communication and modalities for the exercise of…
Governor Newsom signed a package of 12 bills yesterday aimed at “protecting children” online. One of them was AB 1709, which EFF has opposed this legislative session and serves as…
Heightened global AI safety panic is leading to louder calls for regulation.
Amazon recently debuted a new feature for its Ring cameras that the company is calling Throw Away the Key Encryption (TAKE). The idea is to cut back on the amount of video content…
Background informationDate of final decision: 21 July 2026National caseLegal Reference(s): Article 12 (Transparent information, communication and modalities for the exercise of…
"Global rules are really needed," European tech commissioner says after researchers sound alarm over AI risks.
GDPR Policy For once, EU legislators have an opportunity to deliver genuine simplification for people: a solution to the ongoing issue of misleading cookie banners. As part of its…
With 'Beyond the Screen', the Privacy Agency is back with new adventures! Deepfakes, romance scams, harmful challenges on social networks, and internet scammers (brouteurs): this…
Since September 1, 2026, the reform regarding electronic invoicing between companies has come into force. The CNIL helps companies understand the implications and ensure the…
The National Commission on Informatics and Liberty met on Thursday, 10 September 2026 at 9:30 a.m. with the following agenda:
Bans Like California’s Don’t Fix What’s Wrong With Social Media Companies SAN FRANCISCO - Technology and the laws that regulate it should support and empower young people.…
The ePrivacy framework limits commercial tracking and state access to communications. It is now being weakened from several directions at once.
Credit Scoring Two weeks ago, noyb sent a cease-and-desist letter to SCHUFA regarding its shadow database. At the same time, we announced that we would bring an injunction should…
Background informationDate of final decision: 3 September 2026National caseController: Hôpital Privé de la LoireLegal Reference: Article 32 (Security of processing), Article 34…
Background informationDate of final decision: 3 September 2026National caseController: Hôpital Privé de la LoireLegal Reference: Article 32 (Security of processing), Article 34…
Sf deleted page Garante per la protezione dei dati personali (Italy) - 666 Wanted to show a technicla error, and in trying it submitted
EFF is pleased to announce that Access Now, 7amleh – The Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media, DeFlock, and New Media Rights have received 2026 EFF Awards for their…
The term “digital sovereignty” has become ubiquitous. European officials invoke it in debates about cloud infrastructure, AI, semiconductors, and platform regulation. Governments…
Law enforcement agencies across the country are increasingly relying on spying technologies—automated license plate readers (ALPR), cell-site simulators, and facial recognition,…
On 21 July 2026, the CNIL imposed a fine of 300,000 euros on the company EXTIA for various violations relating to the respect of individuals' rights, in particular the right to…
EFF sued the government back in March for information about the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) model, a new Medicare program that uses AI to evaluate prior…
An EU legislative proposal for a social media ban will be presented at the State of the European Union (SOTEU) annual address, but the tools which are pitched as “ready” and…
Are you curious about what goes on behind the doors of the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) at Lange Voorhout number 7 in The Hague? And what the AP does for you? On Saturday,…
Background informationDate of final decision: 28 August 2026National caseLegal Reference(s): Article 5 (Principles relating to processing of personal data), Article 32 (Security…
A federal court in Massachusetts has ruled that copyright holders can issue online takedown notices based on a subjective belief of copyright infringement, even when that belief…
The United States government has designated the Italian non-profit organisation Autistici/Inventati as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" for providing digital…
The French Data Protection Authority (Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés) met on Thursday 3 September 2026 at 9:30 a.m. with the following agenda:
The Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) has published 2 practical documents specifically for SMEs. These are templates for a processing register and a privacy statement. This…
On 3 September 2026, the CNIL imposed a fine of €500,000 on HÔPITAL PRIVÉ DE LA LOIRE for failing to implement appropriate measures to ensure the security of its patients' data…
A federal judge has sided with Anthropic on its claims that the Department of Defense illegally retaliated against Anthropic’s protected speech by labeling the AI company a…
Within the last few days, two important state actions have dealt a big blow to automated license plate reader (ALPR) networks. This is just the latest proof of the growing tide of…
EDRi member SHARE Foundation has confirmed that at least 14 people in Serbia were targeted with advanced spyware since the beginning of 2026 – the largest documented wave of such…
An EU industrial policy plan to build AI infrastructure is forcing European capitals to free up investment — or else fall further behind.
Meta’s settlement with 52 state attorneys general is a bad deal for all internet users, and especially for teens. That’s what we said the day the settlement was announced. In this…
Credit Scoring In June 2026, noyb brought an injunction against the unlawful data collection practices of the Austrian credit reference agency CRIF. In several unrelated cases,…
Regulating commercial location tracking has reached a turning point. Last year, we published our rubric for what comprehensive and protective location privacy laws should look…
This post is adapted from a video recorded by EFF and the Trevor Project. Head over to our TikTok or Instagram to watch! EFF answers all the queer digital rights questions you…
Doxxing is the deliberate disclosure of personal information in order to bully, harass, intimidate, or instigate a chain of harms against someone. It's a tricky thing to protect…
Doxxing, also known as the deliberate sharing of personal information to harass or endanger someone, is a tricky thing to protect against. It often happens by some ill-intentioned…
The history of technology is rife with copyright panics. In the 1980s, major rightsholders ran to Congress and the courts, claiming that videotape recorders (VTR) were “to the…