Entries tagged with: policy

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Bipartisan Internet of Things Security Bill Passes Congress

Both branches of Congress have now passed a bill governing the security of the Internet of Things. The "Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2019" sets baseline cybersecurity standards for IoT devices purchased by the federal government. The bipartisan...

EPIC, Coalition Release Data Protection Plan for Biden Administration

EPIC and a coalition of privacy, civil rights, and consumer organizations have released a policy framework for the Biden Administration to protect privacy and digital rights for all Americans. "Without laws that limit how companies can collect, use, and share...

EPIC Publishes Analysis of California's Proposition 24

EPIC has published an analysis of Proposition 24 in California, the California Privacy Rights Act. In 2018, the State of California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 ("CCPA"), the first comprehensive consumer privacy law enacted in the United...

House Judiciary Committee Reports on Competition in Digital Markets

The House Judiciary Committee has released its report following a years-long investigation of competition in digital markets. "[O]nline platforms’ dominance carries significant costs. It has diminished consumer choice, eroded innovation and entrepreneurship in the U.S. economy, weakened the vibrancy of...

Facebook Integrates Instagram and Messenger

Facebook has announced the integration of Facebook Messenger and Instagram. Early last year, Facebook had released plans to integrate WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram, breaking the promises Facebook made when it acquired WhatsApp. After yesterday's announcement, Facebook declined to give a...

EPIC to Senate Commerce: the U.S. Needs a Data Protection Agency

In a statement to the Senate Commerce Committee before a hearing on the need for federal privacy legislation, EPIC urged lawmakers to establish an independent U.S. Data Protection Agency. EPIC laid out the FTC's typical privacy playbook: consent decrees, infrequent...

Senate Republicans Introduce Weak 'SAFE DATA Act'

Senators Roger Wicker, John Thune, Marsha Blackburn, and Deb Fischer have introduced the “SAFE DATA Act,” which relies on an outdated notice-and-choice model that allows companies to diminish the rights of consumers and use personal data to benefit the company...

IoT Security Bill Passed in House of Representatives

The House of Representatives has passed a bill governing the security of the Internet of Things. The "Internet of Things Cybersecurity Improvement Act of 2019" sets baseline cybersecurity standards for IoT devices purchased by the federal government. The bipartisan measure...

EPIC: "Regulators Failed and Google Turned The Internet Into a Surveillance Machine"

In advance of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on "Stacking the Tech: Has Google harmed competition in online advertising?," EPIC argued in a Medium post that the answer to that question is obviously yes, but Congress shares some of the...

Brazil's General Data Protection Law To Take Effect This Month

Brazil’s Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados (or LGPD), enacted in 2018, will go into effect this month. The LGPD is similar to the EU's General Data Protection Regulation, granting individual rights and placing obligations on companies processing personal data....

EPIC to Senate Commerce: Hold Hearing on Data Protection Agency Legislation

In a statement to the Senate Commerce Committee before a Federal Trade Commission oversight hearing, EPIC urged lawmakers to establish an independent U.S. Data Protection Agency. "When it comes to data protection, the FTC is not up to the task....

Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act Weakens Encryption, Undermines Public Safety

Senators Lindsey Graham, Tom Cotton, and Marsha Blackburn introduced the “Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act” yesterday. The bill would would make it illegal for manufacturers to build systems that cannot be accessed by law enforcement. EPIC strongly opposes this...

Senate Amends FISA Reauthorization Bill, Sends Back to the House

The Senate voted today to pass an amended version of the USA FREEDOM Reauthorization Act of 2020, which was passed by the House in March. The bill would end the NSA’s bulk telephone metadata program and make further reforms to...

Public Health Emergency Privacy Act Introduced

Representatives Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Mark Warner (D-VA) today today introduced the Public Health Emergency Privacy Act. The bill would protect personal data collected in connection with...

Senator Markey Says Contact Tracing Plans Must Protect Privacy

Senator Edward Markey [D-MA] has outlined nine key principles to guide federal leadership on coronavirus contact tracing in the United States. In a letter sent today to the White House Coronavirus Task Force, Senator Markey urged the administration to design...

BREAKING - Sen. Gillibrand Introduces U.S. Data Protection Agency Bill

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has introduced S. 3300, The Data Protection Act of 2020 which would create an independent Data Protection Agency in the United States to safeguard the personal data of Americans. EPIC, many leading consumer and civil rights...

EPIC to Maryland State Senate: Protect Drivers License Data

EPIC has written in support of Maryland Senate Bill 34, which would prohibit the scanning or swiping of identification cards and driver’s licenses. "The best defense against data breaches is not collecting and retaining personal data in the first place,”...

EPIC Backs Strong Implementation of California Privacy Law

In comments to the California Attorney General on proposed regulations to the California Consumer Privacy Act, EPIC backed provisions that would strength consumer protections and identified topics for future action, such as the creation of data protection agency. EPIC's comments...

Robust Privacy Bill Introduced in the Senate

Ranking Member Cantwell, and Senators Schatz, Klobuchar, and Markey have introduced the Consumer Online Privacy Rights Act, a strong framework for data protection. The bill is based on Fair Information Practices and includes a private right of action so individuals...

Senate Democrats Set Out Comprehensive Data Protection Framework

Top Senate Democrats today unveiled key goals for comprehensive federal data privacy legislation. The Democratic Senators' proposal calls for strong consumer rights, corporate accountability, effective enforcement, data minimization, and accountability for algorithmic decision making. The proposal would not preempt stronger...

Bill to Establish Data Protection Agency Introduced in Congress

Representatives Eshoo and Lofgren have introduced the Online Privacy Act, a comprehensive framework for data protection in the United States. The bill would establish a data protection agency, create meaningful privacy safeguards for consumers, and hold companies accountable for the...

Senator Booker Introduces Legislation Banning Face Surveillance in Public Housing

Presidential Candidate Cory Booker has introduced the No Biometric Barriers to Housing Act, a bill to ban the use of facial recognition technology in public housing. “Facial recognition technology has been repeatedly shown to be incomplete and inaccurate, regularly targeting...

EPIC to Massachusetts Legislature: Ban Facial Recognition

EPIC Policy Director Caitriona Fitzgerald will testify today before the Massachusetts Legislature in support of a bill to establish a moratorium on the use of facial recognition by state agencies. Under S. 1385 and H. 1538 the use of facial...

EPIC to Congress: FOIA Critical to Homeland Security Oversight

EPIC has told a House committee that the Freedom of Information Act is critical to keep the Department of Homeland Security accountable. The House Homeland Security Committee held a hearing this week on "The Public’s Right to Know: FOIA at...

EPIC to Congress: Consumers Must Be Protected in Merger Reviews

In a statement to the House Judiciary Committee, EPIC told lawmakers that merger review should consider data protection. EPIC wrote that "companies that protect user privacy are being absorbed by companies that do not protect privacy." EPIC pointed to the...

EPIC Asks Senate Rules Committee to Investigate Tech Task Force’s Closed-Door Meetings

EPIC, the Center for Digital Democracy, and the Consumer Federation of America have written to the Senate Rules Committee regarding a closed-door meeting of a Senate “Tech Task Force.” The groups allege that the meeting violated the Senate Rules of...

Voter Privacy Act Would Limit Targeting

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has introduced the Voter Privacy Act, S. 2398, a bill to ensure privacy with respect to voter information. The Act would give voters basic rights regarding their personal data: right of access, right of notice, right...

EPIC to Congress: Safety Commission Must Regulate Internet-connected Devices

In advance of a hearing on “Protecting Americans from Dangerous Products," EPIC wrote to the House Commerce Committee that the Consumer Product and Safety Commission must do more to protect consumers and ensure security of IoT devices. In recent comments...

EPIC Urges Senate to Strengthen US Privacy Laws for Cross Border Data Flows

EPIC sent a statement to a Senate committee on Foreign Relations regarding the nomination of Keith Krach to Under Secretary of State. Krach would serve as the US Privacy Shield Ombudsperson, a pivotal role concerning the transfer of personal data...

Senator Blumenthal Calls on FTC to Unwind Big Tech Mergers

In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing earlier this week, Senator Richard Blumenthal said that antitrust enforcers must consider unwinding anticompetitive mergers. “Over the past decade tech companies have in effect been given a free pass by antitrust regulators,” Senator Blumenthal...

Consumer and Privacy Organizations Propose Framework for U.S. Data Protection

EPIC joined a group of twelve consumer and privacy organizations that submitted a statement to the Senate Commerce Committee in advance of a consumer privacy hearing. The groups outlined a draft framework for data protection in the U.S., advocating that...

For House Hearing, EPIC Urges FTC to Unwind WhatsApp Deal, Enforce Facebook Consent Order

EPIC has sent a statement to the House Energy and Commerce Committee in advance of a hearing on “Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission.” EPIC told the Committee to urge the new FTC leadership to enforce the Facebook Consent Order...

After Carpenter Decision, EPIC Calls on Congress to Update Federal Wiretap Law

In advance of a hearing on “Bolstering Data Privacy and Mobile Security” EPIC has told the House Science Committee that Congress should apply a heightened “super warrant” standard to "StingRays,” a technique for tracking cell phones users. After an EPIC...

Amazon Echo Secretly Recorded And Disclosed User's Private Conversation

"Alexa" secretly recorded the private conversation of a Portland woman and sent it to one of her contacts, according to a news report. The Federal Wiretap Act makes it a crime to intentionally intercept a private communication. In 2015, EPIC...

EPIC Calls on FEC to Pass Stronger Transparency Rules for Political Ads

EPIC submitted comments on the Federal Election Commission's (FEC) proposed rules for political ads on the internet. The FEC proposed two alternative rules, one which would hold internet companies to the same standard as traditional media companies and one which...

EPIC Testifies Before Safety Commission on IoT Privacy Hazards

EPIC testified before the Consumer Product Safety Commission at the hearing on "The Internet of Things and Consumer Product Hazards." EPIC International Law Counsel Sunny Kang urged the Commission to focus on privacy and security. EPIC's Kang told the Commission...

EPIC To Senate Judiciary: Privacy Is Integral to Democracy

In advance of a hearing on Cambridge Analytica and the Future of Data Privacy, EPIC has sent a statement to the Seante Judiciary Committee. EPIC said that "It has become increasingly clear that even as we are asked to give...

EPIC Urges Congress to Require Algorithmic Transparency For Dominant Internet Firms

In advance of a hearing on Filtering Practices of Social Media Companies, EPIC has sent a statement to the House Judiciary Committee. EPIC said that "algorithmic transparency" could help establish fairness, transparency, and accountability for much of what users see...

EPIC to Congress: Enhanced Surveillance at Border Will Impact Rights of U.S. Citizens

EPIC has sent a statement to the House Homeland Security Committee in advance of a hearing with the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. EPIC urged the Committee to ask the CBP Commissioner about the collection of biometric data at...

EPIC to Senate: Weaknesses in Cybersecurity Threaten Both Consumers and Democratic Institutions

EPIC submitted a statement to the Senate Homeland Security Committee in advance of a hearing on "Cyber Threats Facing America." Last year, the White House National Security Strategy report set out the administration's goals for global policy. EPIC supports several...

EPIC Obtains Partial Release of 2017 Facebook Audit

EPIC has obtained a redacted version of the 2017 Facebook Assessment required by the 2012 Federal Trade Commission Consent Order. The Order required Facebook to conduct biennial assessments from a third-party auditor of Facebook's privacy and security practices. In March,...

EPIC Tells House Committee: Require Transparency for Government Use of AI

In advance of a hearing on "Game Changers: Artificial Intelligence Part III, Artificial Intelligence and Public Policy," EPIC told the House Oversight Committee that Congress must implement oversight mechanisms for the use of AI by federal agencies. EPIC said that...

EPIC Supports Additional Regulation of Robocalls

In advance of a hearing on "Abusive Robocalls and How We Can Stop Them" EPIC recommended reforms that would combat fraud while protecting privacy. EPIC supports regulations that would (1) allow phone providers to proactively block numbers that are unassigned,...

EPIC Tells Congress to Consider Census Privacy Risks

In advance of a hearing on the Census Bureau, EPIC told Congress to consider the privacy issues arising from potential misuse of Census data. After the Department of Commerce announced that the 2020 Census will include a question on citizenship...

EPIC Sues ICE Over Technology Used to Conduct Warrantless Searches of Mobile Devices

EPIC has filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against Immigration and Customs Enforcement for details of the agency's use of mobile forensic technology to conduct warrantless searches of mobile devices. ICE has contracts with a company called Cellebrite for...

EPIC Urges Senate to Focus on FTC Consent Order with Facebook

In advance of a joint hearing about Facebook's failure to protect the personal data of users, EPIC has sent a comprehensive statement to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the Senate Committee on Commerce. EPIC is urging the Senators...

EPIC, Consumer Groups to Urge Federal Trade Commission to Investigate Facebook's Use of Facial Recognition

EPIC and a coalition of consumer groups will file a complaint with the FTC on Friday charging that Facebook's use of facial recognition techniques threaten user privacy and violate the 2011 Consent Order with the Commission. "The scanning of facial...

EPIC Tells House to Probe Commerce Secretary on Data Protection, Privacy Shield

EPIC has sent a statement to the House Appropriations Committee outlining the key privacy issues facing the Secretary of Commerce. The Committee held a hearing today to discuss the FY19 budget for the Department of Commerce. EPIC stated that data...

SEC Issues Guidance on Cybersecurity Disclosures

The Securities and Exchange Commission has released guidance for cybersecurity risks and incidents. The SEC stated that "in light of the increasing significance of cybersecurity incidents," it is "critical" for companies to routinely report cybersecurity threats. The Commission also emphasized...

Rep. Lieu Introduces Two Consumer Data Protection Bills

Today Rep. Lieu (D-CA) introduced two bills to safeguard consumer data: the "Protecting Consumer Information Act of 2018" and the "Ending Forced Arbitration for Victims of Data Breaches Act." The first bill will expand the Federal Trade Commission's enforcement authority...