Privacy

Lawmakers in both chambers of the Statehouse have been highly critical of bills that would safeguard residents’ data privacy online. Two competing proposals survive, albeit narrowly.

Lawmakers advanced data privacy legislation that supporters say would be unique in the U.S. in protecting individual privacy and limiting the type of digital information companies can collect and maintain.

Cyber attacks and the related expenses of identifying the incident, fixing it, notifying customers — and improving security — has become routine in the Vancouver, Wash., area. This in turn has sparked demand for cybersecurity professionals.

A court battle over a social media account highlights a larger issue. Even if our earthly affairs are in order when we die, privacy questions around who should own our data may be unanswered — and tough to resolve.

Two lawmakers said they have reached an agreement on the broad outlines of a pact that would create the United States’ first federal data privacy standard. A national data privacy law has eluded Congress for years.

The bill, which has cleared the state Senate, redefines the crime in existing law to include unauthorized use of tracking devices and computers for recording, tracking or reporting someone’s movements or location. It now goes to the Assembly.

The March 21 attack impacts information from about 300 people, the Tarrant Appraisal District said. The district’s legal council has said hackers have asked for $700,000. Portions of the district website remain offline; it has not paid the ransom.

Google will delete billions of records it scooped from "Incognito" mode web browsing of about 136 million U.S. users but will continue to collect data through the not-so-private browser setting.

The NOTICE Coalition, on behalf 42 advocacy organizations representing various student groups, argued in a letter to the U.S. Department of Education that AI-powered security systems violate privacy and human rights.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the California Highway Patrol will stand up 480 surveillance cameras on Oakland streets and East Bay freeways to help identify vehicles associated with crimes. Privacy advocates have criticized the plan.

In Arkansas, Florida, Georgia and Utah, lawmakers this session are trying to balance digital privacy and children’s mental health issues as they seek to implement social media mandates.

There are currently 217 license plate cameras watching Fort Worth streets, and 20 more are set to be deployed soon, said Sgt. Jason Spencer, a public information officer with the police department.

Lawmakers are looking at data collection from minors, and how tech companies are using it. They’re also pushing for default privacy settings for social media users. Trade groups are opposed.

Survey data released by NASCIO reveals many state chief privacy officers feel confined by a lack of enforcement influence and dedicated funding. Additionally, fewer CPOs report having an established privacy program than two years ago.

Spurred by growing public concern over data privacy, some of which is supported by nonprofit research, Tutor.com and other ed-tech companies have come under the microscope by state and federal leaders.

The Alabama Genetic Privacy Data Act, now under consideration by legislators, would require DNA testing companies to get consent from consumers before sharing their genetic information. Currently, no such privacy guarantee exists in the state.

Pixevety's child privacy platform to help schools manage image galleries that contain students is compliant with strict European Union privacy laws that define personal data, accountability measures and security requirements.

On Friday, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a ban on social media for kids under 16 and lawmakers introduced new legislation that would let 14- and 15-year-olds access social media with a parent’s consent. The ban would still apply to children 13 and under.