Analysis
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A Health Privacy ‘Check-Up’: How Unfair Modern Business Practices Can Leave You Under-Informed and Your Most Sensitive Data Ripe for Collection and Sale
June 5, 2025
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Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights
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Commercial AI Use
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Consumer Privacy
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Data Protection
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Health and Reproductive Privacy
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Analysis
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The Seven Year Itch: On the GDPR’s Anniversary, A Look At Its History, Legacy, and Uncertain Future
June 4, 2025
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Competition and Privacy
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Consumer Privacy
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Cybersecurity
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Data Brokers
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Data Minimization
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Data Protection
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Data Security
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Enforcement of Privacy Laws
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International Privacy
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International Privacy Laws
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Privacy Laws
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Analysis
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When Courts Reach The Merits, Spyware Loses
May 8, 2025
On April 28, 8 jurors were empaneled to decide how much NSO Group, the notorious mercenary spyware company, would be fined for hacking WhatsApp servers in order to spy on millions of Americans. On May 6, jurors gave their decision: NSO Group’s flagrant violation of the law would cost them $444,719 in statutory damages and $167.25 million in punitive damages, striking a major blow to the infamous company.
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Fourth Amendment
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Intelligence Surveillance
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Privacy Laws
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Surveillance Oversight
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Analysis
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Concern over Potential 23andMe Data Sale Highlights Weaknesses of State Privacy Laws
May 2, 2025
While the United States’ lack of a comprehensive federal privacy law allows privacy harms to continue threatening Americans daily, 23andMe’s recent bankruptcy shines a spotlight on the problem.
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Data Protection
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Health and Reproductive Privacy
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Privacy Laws
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U.S. Privacy Laws
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Analysis
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Bankrupt Genetic Data: Minimizing and Privacy-Protecting Data from the Start
April 14, 2025
The scenario now at hand—an untold number of buyers able to potentially grab up the genetic data troves collected and analyzed by 23andMe—is a forceful reminder of the need for better data privacy and security protections. Nothing can eliminate the possibility that a company collecting data goes bankrupt. But companies and policymakers can and should do better in mitigating the risks from any potential bankruptcy-data fallout ahead of time.
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Consumer Privacy
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Cybersecurity
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Data Minimization
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Data Protection
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Data Security
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Health and Reproductive Privacy
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Analysis
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Update: Tracking of Real Algorithmic Harms in California as Enforcement Continues
April 3, 2025
As part of our project Assessing the Assessments—supported by the Rose Foundation—EPIC is continuing to track instances of real AI harms that are relevant to enforcement of the California Consumer Privacy Act.
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Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights
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Risk Assessments
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Screening & Scoring
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Analysis
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Ninth Circuit To Hear Oral Argument in Case About Whether Algorithms Directed to Induce Habit-Forming Behavior Are Protected Speech
April 2, 2025
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Age Assurance
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Platform Accountability & Governance
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Platform Governance Laws & Regulations
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The First Amendment
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Analysis
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Don’t Believe Data Brokers Saying Data Deletion Is Snake Oil
March 31, 2025
A recent op-ed claiming authorized agent providers are selling "privacy snake oil" is misleading. and shift the focus away from harmful data brokers, EPIC Scholar in Residence Justin Sherman argues.
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Consumer Privacy
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Data Brokers
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Analysis
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Is OPM More Interested in Surveillance than Privacy? Our Lawsuit Is Trying to Answer That
March 19, 2025
For 30 years, FOIA has been one of EPIC’s most valuable tools for holding government accountable to the people. In this post, we will look at EPIC’s latest FOIA lawsuit against the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to understand why EPIC filed this case and how the information we seek will lead to meaningful accountability.
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Cybersecurity
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Data Protection
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Data Security
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Freedom of Information Act
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Government Records & Privacy
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Open Government
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Workplace Privacy
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Analysis
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As Above Doesn’t Have to Be Below: States Should Be a Counterweight to Eroding Federal Transparency
March 18, 2025
We face a crisis of institutional legitimacy across the federal government. States can preserve and enhance democracy by acting as a valuable counterweight to the breakdown of federal transparency measures and implement much needed reform.
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Access to Information
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Democracy & Free Speech
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Freedom of Information Act
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Open Government
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Surveillance Oversight
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Analysis
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