Blog Post

Somebody Spilled the Genes: 23andMe’s Downturn Highlights Insufficient Privacy and Data Security Safeguards for Consumer Genetic Data

December 5, 2024

As 23andMe likely heads towards bankruptcy or sale, many consumers are understandably concerned: what will happen to their genetic data?

• Consumer Privacy

• Data Brokers

• Data Minimization

• Data Protection

• Health and Reproductive Privacy

• Analysis

Demystifying Generative AI Disclosures

November 27, 2024

Generative AI is frequently used to obscure, mischaracterize, and fabricate information online.

• AI Policy

• Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights

• Analysis

Federal Agencies Largely Miss the Mark on Documenting AI Compliance Plans as Required by AI Executive Order

November 21, 2024

On September 23, 2024, only about half of the U.S. federal agencies complied with the March 2024 OMB Memo (“M-24-10”)'s requirement for agencies to publish compliance plans consistent with the memo, which implements requirements under the 2023 Executive Order (“EO 14110”) on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.[1] Beyond the failure of about half of the agencies to respond, review of the published compliance plans reveal that they leave much to be desired in transparency on the AI systems the agencies use and their potential to impact the rights and safety of people in the U.S.

• Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights

• Government AI Use

• Analysis

CBP’s Privacy Impact Assessment on Commercial Telemetry Data Highlights Urgent Need for PIA Reform

November 14, 2024

CBP’s PIA on CTD is extremely vague, years too late, and is a complete failure to comply with federal privacy regulations.

• Intelligence Surveillance

• Location Tracking

• Analysis

Design-Based Lawsuits Against Platform Companies Reveal Fault Lines in Courts’ Section 230 Interpretations

November 1, 2024

• Platform Accountability & Governance

• Section 230

• Analysis

California Legislative Session Roundup: Which Key Privacy and AI Bills Were Enacted and Which Were Vetoed? 

October 11, 2024

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed many privacy and AI bills into law, but he also vetoed three major tech bills.

• AI Policy

• Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights

• Consumer Privacy

• Analysis

In Anderson v. TikTok, the Third Circuit Applies Questionable First Amendment Reasoning to Arrive at the Correct Section 230 Outcome

October 10, 2024

The opinion correctly held that Section 230 did not bar the claims to the extent that they alleged TikTok’s own algorithmic design caused the tragic circumstances, but it arrived at its decision through a questionable First Amendment analysis instead of careful Section 230 reasoning. TikTok is now asking the entire Third Circuit to re-hear the case and overturn the initial ruling.

• Platform Accountability & Governance

• Section 230

• The First Amendment

• Analysis

The Department of Transportation’s Underused Privacy Authority

September 9, 2024

Due to the rise of invasive airline data practices and facial recognition technology at airport gates, EPIC strongly encourages the DOT to use its unfair and deceptive enforcement authority to address harmful privacy practices.

• Consumer Privacy

• Face Surveillance & Biometrics

• Surveillance Oversight

• Analysis

“Free” Prison Tablets: In Promise and In Practice

August 29, 2024

• Access to Information

• Communications Privacy

• Consumer Privacy

• Democracy & Free Speech

• Analysis

Wristwatched: A New Frontier of Health Monitoring in Prisons

August 22, 2024

For over two decades, states have used electronic monitoring, or e-monitoring, to track and limit the movements of individuals on parole or pre-trial through wearable technology.

• Data Protection

• Face Surveillance & Biometrics

• Health and Reproductive Privacy

• Surveillance Oversight

• Analysis