NYC biometric law enters into force
New York City biometric data protection law entered into force with anticipated impacts on local businesses and restaurants.
law enforcement
Microsoft says a third of its government data requests have secrecy orders
The company’s customer security chief said Microsoft gets between 2,400 to 3,500 secrecy orders each year.
Ring gave cops free cameras to build and promote surveillance network
LAPD officers “spread the word” for the startup, helping it gain market share.
Ring refuses to say how many users had video footage obtained by police
The doorbell camera maker received over 1,800 legal demands during 2020.
Trump Justice Department seized journalists’ phone records
The action grew out of a leak investigation surrounding reporting on Russia’s role in the 2016 election.
U.S. Department of Education Opens an Investigation into Pasco County’s Predictive Policing Program
The U.S. Department of Education opened an investigation into the data-sharing practices between Florida’s Pasco County sheriff’s office and school district.
New Bill Would Ban Clearview and Warrantless Location Data Purchases
The sweeping bill has support from both Democrats and Republicans, and will address multiple forms of surveillance.
Your ‘smart home’ is watching – and possibly sharing your data with the police
Smart-home devices like thermostats and fridges may be too smart for comfort – especially in a country with few laws preventing the sale of digital data to third parties.
UK may force Facebook services to allow backdoor police access
End-to-end encryption could be challenged with security agencies enabled to monitor user messages.
ICE Investigators Use Private Database Covering Millions of Individuals to Pursue Immigration Violations
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have bought private data containing millions of individuals’ phone, water, electricity, and other utility records.
UK to introduce new laws and a code of practice for police wanting to rifle through mobile phone messages
A new UK law will explicitly authorise the “voluntary” slurping of data from mobile phones of crime suspects and witnesses.
Digidog, a Robotic Dog Used by the Police, Stirs Privacy Concerns
The New York Police Department has been testing Digidog, which it says can be deployed in dangerous situations and keep officers safer, but some fear it could become an aggressive surveillance tool.