EPIC - Electronic Privacy Information Center

04/26/2022

Playing Both Sides: Impact of Tech Industry on Early Federal AI Policy

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Playing Both Sides: Impact of Industry on Early Federal Policy
https://epic.org/playing-both-sides-ai-policy/

This week, Politico’s Alex Thompson detailed the close relationship between the Biden administration’s Office of Science and Technology Policy and Schmidt Futures, the philanthropic initiative of former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. The links between Schmidt Futures and Biden’s OSTP add to the alre...

04/19/2022

FTC Chair Lina Khan Addresses the Future of Privacy Regulation

https://epic.org/ftc-chair-lina-khan-addresses-the-future-of-privacy-regulation/

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan delivered remarks at the IAPP Global Privacy Summit last week on the future of data protection and privacy regulation. Khan addressed the digitization of the U.S. economy and the dramatic increase in data collection and surveillance, noting that Americans do....

04/14/2022

EPIC Urges Department of Transportation to Prioritize Privacy in Development of New Technologies

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Urges Department of Transportation to Prioritize in Development of New Technologies
https://epic.org/epic-urges-department-of-transportation-to-prioritize-privacy-in-development-of-new-technologies/

In comments to the Non-Traditional and Emerging Transportation Technologies Council, an interagency group housed within the Department of Transportation, EPIC urged the Council to “investigate the privacy impacts of emerging transportation technologies, promulgate guidelines for privacy in trans...

04/06/2022

In EPIC Settlement, DOJ Breaks Down Number of Location Data Requests in Five Districts from 2016-2019

https://epic.org/in-epic-settlement-doj-breaks-down-number-of-location-data-requests-in-five-districts-from-2016-2019/

EPIC has recently settled its lawsuit for cell phone surveillance orders issued by federal prosecutors with the Department of Justice. EPIC previously obtained the aggregate number of location data requests for five districts that the DOJ agreed to search. As part of the settlement agreement between...

04/05/2022

State Department launches new cybersecurity bureau

“I think it’s really significant when you have the State Department, which is the representative of the United States on the international forum, reorganize and orient itself around the future of digital policy,” - Alan Butler via FOX13 Memphis https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/local/state-department-launches-new-cybersecurity-bureau/KDKWMS2KX5F33NEKWNYM2MYVUM/

A major focus of the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP) is to make digital protection a key part of U.S. foreign policy.

04/01/2022

EPIC Endorses “Shadow Report” on Maine Fusion Center

EPIC Endorses “Shadow Report” on Maine Fusion Center
https://epic.org/epic-endorses-shadow-report-on-maine-fusion-center/

A group of activists in Maine released a shadow report on the Maine Information Analysis Center (MIAC), and called for a meaningful independent audit of the center. Last year Maine’s legislature nearly voted to close the MIAC and opted instead to require a privacy audit, though critics argue that ...

03/29/2022

EU and U.S. Agree “In Principle” on New Data Transfer Framework

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: EU and U.S. Agree “In Principle” on New Transfer Framework

https://epic.org/eu-and-u-s-agree-in-principle-on-new-data-transfer-framework/

The European Commission and the United States government have both issued statements on March 25, 2022, that they have come to an agreement “in principle” on a new framework for transatlantic data flows. While the actual status of the framework is unclear, the announcement demonstrates a meeting...

03/23/2022

Los Angeles Residents’ Location Privacy at Stake in Ninth Circuit Case About Mobility Data

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Los Angeles Residents’ Location at Stake in Ninth Circuit Case About Mobility Data
https://epic.org/los-angeles-residents-location-privacy-at-stake-in-ninth-circuit-case-about-mobility-data/

Tomorrow, the Ninth Circuit will hear oral argument in Sanchez v. Los Angeles Department of Transportation, a case affecting the locational privacy rights of people who use e-scooters and ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft. In the case, L.A. residents are challenging a regulation that requires....

03/22/2022

EPIC Urges Senators to Question Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on Key Privacy & Open Government Issues

In a letter sent Monday, EPIC urged members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to ask U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson questions about key privacy and open government issues she is likely to confront as a justice.

https://epic.org/epic-urges-senators-to-question-ketanji-brown-jackson-on-key-privacy-open-government-issues/

In a letter sent Monday, EPIC urged members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to ask U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson questions about key privacy and open government issues she is likely to confront as a justice.

03/18/2022

AI Symposium Recap

At long last, behold vids from the EPIC AI Regulation Symposium held last fall. Two panels, six flash talks + keynote from the amazing Jennifer Leee all on specifically how we should be regulating AI/ADS in light of the very real and current harms.

https://epic.org/events/ai-symposium2

In Fall 2021, EPIC hosted a symposium on discussing ways to actualize Artificial Intelligence regulation to best protect individuals. The event featured two expert panels, one keynote by Jennifer Lee of ACLU Washington, and six flash talks. Videos of each symposium segment are available below along....

03/15/2022

FOIA Gallery 2022

Celebrating ! EPIC's Open Government Project, 2021-2022 was a year filled with success stories. Through vigorous and effective litigation, EPIC maintained its record as a champion for a more open and transparent government.
https://epic.org/foia-gallery-2022/

The Freedom of Information Act establishes a legal right for individuals to obtain records in the possession of government agencies. The FOIA is critical for the functioning of democratic government because it helps ensure that the public is fully informed about matters of public concern. The FOIA h...

03/14/2022

Sen. Wyden Reveals Secret DHS Program to Collecting Millions of Money-Transfer Records

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Sen. Ron Wyden Reveals Secret DHS Program to Collecting Millions of Money-Transfer Records

https://epic.org/sen-wyden-reveals-secret-dhs-program-to-collecting-millions-of-money-transfer-records/

In a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, Senator Ron Wyden revealed that one of DHS’s law enforcement components, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) established a bulk surveillance program collecting records of money transfers into/out of Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas, and...

02/22/2022

Hearing Probes Aims, Enforcement of a U.S. Digital Privacy Law

“Just as advertising companies use profiles about us to manipulate us into purchases, so, too, can they manipulate our views by filtering the content we see,” Fitzgerald said.
https://www.govtech.com/security/hearing-probes-aims-enforcement-of-a-u-s-digital-privacy-law

The debate over the form and scope of a U.S. privacy law is still underway, and experts are divided when it comes to enforcement. Some believe a standalone agency would best enforce any new rules.

02/16/2022

Hearing: Big Data: Privacy Risks And Needed Reforms In The Public And Private Sectors

: EPIC Deputy Director Caitriona Fitzgerald will testify before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on House Administration today, Wednesday, February 16th at 2 PM ET.

https://epic.org/events/hearing-big-data-privacy-risks-and-needed-reforms-in-the-public-and-private-sectors/

EPIC Deputy Director Caitriona Fitzgerald will testify before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on House Administration on Wednesday, February 16th at 2 PM ET.

02/15/2022

Texas Sues Meta Over Facebook’s Facial-Recognition Practices

“We can’t count on Congress and even the FTC to be on top of every data abuse,” Mr. said. “It’s important that there be other avenues.” https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-sues-meta-over-facebooks-facial-recognition-practices-11644854794

The state says the social-media giant violated privacy protections in a lawsuit, seeking civil penalties that a person familiar with the matter says range in the hundreds of billions of dollars.

02/09/2022

Why retailers might offer you a job before you even know you want one

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/retailers-might-offer-job-even-know-want-one-rcna14784

From software that finds candidates before they even apply, to chatbots and one-way video interviews, retailers are leaning in to AI to streamline their recruiting process.

02/09/2022

EPIC Backs Data Breach Notification Amendment to FTC Safeguards Rule

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: EPIC Backs Breach Notification Amendment to FTC Safeguards Rule

https://epic.org/epic-backs-data-breach-notification-amendment-to-ftc-safeguards-rule/

EPIC has submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission in support of proposed changes to the Safeguards Rule, the FTC regulation that requires financial institutions to keep customer information secure. The proposed amendment would mandate that financial institutions report any security event a...

02/09/2022

IRS Ends Plan to Force Individuals to Submit to Face Verification

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: IRS Ends Plan to Force Individuals to Submit to Face Verification

https://epic.org/irs-reverse-plan-to-force-individuals-to-submit-to-face-verification/

The IRS announced today it is reversing course and will not go through with a plan to require individuals to use the privacy identity verification service ID.me to access the IRS website. The plan would have forced individuals to submit biometric data to ID.me, who would have held on to that data fo...

02/07/2022

Take a selfie, view your tax records

"This summer, the I.R.S. plans to start using software to access the agency's website. Jeramie Scott, senior counsel of the EPIC, weighs in." - via
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/take-a-selfie-view-your-tax-records/vi-AATxb2e

This summer, the I.R.S. plans to start using facial recognition software to access the agency's website. Jeramie Scott, senior counsel of the electronic privacy information center, weighs in.

01/25/2022

Illinois Law Stops Police from Getting Smart-Home Device Data Without Warrant

https://epic.org/illinois-law-stops-police-from-getting-smart-home-device-data-without-warrant/

A new law in Illinois, the Protecting Household Privacy Act, requires a warrant for police to access data from internet-connected home devices like smart speakers or security cameras. The law provides more protection than the Fourth Amendment, because under current caselaw the third-party doctrine ...

01/19/2022

https://fb.watch/aE94Z0XP7N/

01/19/2022

Preserving Community Control of Police Surveillance is Essential to Protect Privacy

https://epic.org/preserving-community-control-of-police-surveillance-is-essential-to-protect-privacy/

Later this week a California court will consider the first major test of a local Community Control of Police Surveillance (CCOPS) ordinance enacted to limit the use of new surveillance technologies. This case is important not only because it will set the stage for how the San Francisco and other sim...

01/11/2022

EPIC Urges the FCC to Treat Prison Phone/ Surveillance Company Securus’ Petition for Alternative Billing Practices with Skepticism

EPICprivacy Urges the FCC to Treat Prison Phone/ Company Securus’ Petition for Alternative Billing Practices with Skepticism

https://epic.org/epic-urges-the-fcc-to-treat-prison-phone-surveillance-company-securus-petition-for-alternative-billing-practices-with-skepticism/

EPIC filed comments urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to subject any petition from Securus Technologies to “the highest levels of scrutiny and to act aggressively to protect the vulnerable populations that make up Securus’s client base from unfair pricing, surveillance, and fr...

01/10/2022

Report: DHS Tracked Journalists and Protesters, Abused Intelligence Collection Process During Summer 2020 Portland Protests

Report: DHS Tracked Journalists and Protesters, Abused Intelligence Collection Process During Summer 2020 Portland Protests

https://epic.org/report-dhs-tracked-journalists-and-protesters-abused-intelligence-collection-process-during-summer-2020-portland-protests/

Yesterday, the Department of Homeland Security published a report detailing findings from its internal investigation into conduct by the DHS Office of Intelligence & Analysis during the summer 2020 racial justice protests in Portland. DHS ordered an investigation after I&A was caught creating “int...

01/05/2022

EPIC, Coalition Petition Congress to Pass Data Protection Legislation

EPIC and a coalition of civil rights groups have submitted a petition to Congress urging legislators to pass strong protection legislation.

https://epic.org/epic-coalition-petition-congress-to-pass-data-protection-legislation/

EPIC and a coalition of civil rights groups have submitted a petition to Congress urging legislators to pass strong data protection legislation. The petition follows recent testimony to Congress confirming that Facebook has long been aware of the harms its platforms cause. “Stopping these companie...

12/06/2021

VICTORY: Court Rules IRS Must Disclose Trump Tax Settlements to EPIC

VICTORY: Court Rules IRS Must Disclose Trump Tax Settlements to EPIC

https://epic.org/victory-court-rules-irs-must-disclose-trump-tax-settlements-to-epic/

A federal court has ruled in EPIC v. IRS II that the Internal Revenue Service must disclose any accepted offers in compromise—a type of settlement between the IRS and a taxpayer—entered into by former President Trump or his businesses. Although tax information is ordinarily confidential, federal...

12/03/2021

EPIC Urges FTC to Prioritize Privacy in 5-Year Strategic Plan

In comments to the Federal Trade Commission, EPIC urged the agency to include specific goals for privacy enforcement in its five year Draft Strategic Plan. EPIC argued that setting specific goals for privacy enforcement would help protect individuals from data exploitation, biased and unfair algorithmic decision-making, online scams, and data breaches. Prioritizing privacy would also serve the FTC’s renewed goal of addressing racial equity as poor and minority communities are disproportionately harmed by unfair and deceptive practices online.
https://epic.org/epic-urges-ftc-to-prioritize-privacy-in-5-year-strategic-plan/

In comments to the Federal Trade Commission, EPIC urged the agency to include specific goals for privacy enforcement in its five year Draft Strategic Plan. EPIC argued that setting specific goals for privacy enforcement would help protect individuals from data exploitation, biased and unfair algo...

12/03/2021

EPIC Urges CBP to Stop Collecting Unnecessary Photos from Migrants at Southern Border

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: EPIC Urges CBP to Stop Collecting Unnecessary Photos from Migrants at Southern Border

https://epic.org/epic-urges-cbp-to-stop-collecting-unnecessary-photos-from-migrants-at-southern-border/

In comments to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), EPIC urged the agencies to rescind a proposed change to their pre-arrival information collection program for migrants. The new policy would require migrants to submit a photo in advance for a facial rec...

11/30/2021

Defend Privacy. Support EPIC. – EPIC – Electronic Privacy Information Center

Today is ! has been protecting , freedom of expression, and democratic values in the Information Age for 27 years. Visit http://epic.org/donate to support our important work.

11/18/2021

EPIC – Electronic Privacy Information Center

EPIC is pleased to announce our new website! Since 1994, http://epic.org has been one of the most important online resources on . Our new site continues that legacy.

Visit us today at http://epic.org!

EPIC is a public interest research center in Washington, DC seeking to protect privacy, freedom of expression, and democratic values in the information age.

11/18/2021

Representatives Eshoo and Lofgren Reintroduce Online Privacy Act – EPIC – Electronic Privacy Information Center

Representatives Eshoo and Lofgren have reintroduced the Online Privacy Act, a comprehensive framework for and protection in the United States.
https://epic.org/representatives-eshoo-and-lofgren-reintroduce-online-privacy-act/

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

11/16/2021

Bill of Rights for an Automated Society: The Criminal Justice System – EPIC – Electronic Privacy Information Center

Happening now! Watch HERE: https://epic.org/events/ostp-ai/

This convening will explore current and emergent uses of technology in the criminal justice system and consider how they advance or undermine public safety and democratic values. Panelists will discuss the role of technological innovation or technology regulation in ongoing debates regarding the cri...

11/10/2021

Bill of Rights for an Automated Society: The Criminal Justice System – EPIC – Electronic Privacy Information Center

Join EPIC and White House Office of Science & Technology Policy on 11/16 for “Bill of Rights for an Automated Society: The Criminal Legal System.”

Register: http://epic.org/events/ostp-ai

This convening will explore current and emergent uses of technology in the criminal justice system and consider how they advance or undermine public safety and democratic values. Panelists will discuss the role of technological innovation or technology regulation in ongoing debates regarding the cri...

11/04/2021

PRESS RELEASE: EPIC Honors Privacy Advocates at 2021 Champions of Freedom Awards Ceremony – EPIC – Electronic Privacy Information Center

Last night, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) honored Joy Buolamwini of the Algorithmic Justice League, Joseph Cox of MotherBoard, The Markup, and Shoshana Zuboff at its annual Champions of Freedom Awards Ceremony. Policymakers, academics, journalists, advocates, and other guests joined EPIC for an evening of celebration at the National Press Club.
EPIC established the Champions of Freedom Awards in 2004 to honor individuals and organizations that have worked to safeguard the right to privacy, open government, and democratic values with courage and integrity. The theme of this year’s ceremony was “Innovating Privacy.”

https://epic.org/press-release-epic-honors-privacy-advocates-at-2021-champions-of-freedom-awards-ceremony/

WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) honored Joy Buolamwini of the Algorithmic Justice League, Joseph Cox of MotherBoard, The Markup, and Shoshana Zuboff at its annual Champions of Freedom Awards Ceremony. Policymakers, academics, journalists, advocates, an...

11/02/2021

EPIC – Electronic Privacy Information Center

EPIC - Electronic Privacy Information Center Champions of Freedom Awards is , November 3rd, 2021! Save this link below to watch the livestream: https://epic.org/nov3/

PRIVACY ADVOCATESAnita AllenCooley LLPSidley Austin LLPLen KennedyDeborah PeelPRIVACY SUPPORTERSHarry LewisShoshana Zuboff

10/26/2021

EPIC Champions of Freedom Awards is November 3rd, 2021! Follow the link for details! https://epic.org/nov3/

10/18/2021

EPIC - EPIC Urges Canadian Privacy Commissioner to Ban Facial Recognition

In comments on the Office of the Commissioner of Canada, EPIC urged the Commissioner to ban police use of .
https://epic.org/2021/10/epic-urges-canadian-privacy-co.html

In comments on the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, EPIC urged the Commissioner to ban police use of facial recognition. EPIC's comments respond to the Commissioner's recently published Draft Guidance on Facial Recognition for Police Agencies. The Draft Guidance is a set of non-binding....

10/15/2021

EPIC - California Enacts Genetic Information Privacy Act

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: California Enacts Genetic Information Privacy Act
This week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the California Genetic Information Privacy Act, which had been passed unanimously by the California Senate and Assembly in September.
https://epic.org/2021/10/california-enacts-genetic-info.html

This week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed the California Genetic Information Privacy Act, which had been passed unanimously by the California Senate and Assembly in September. The Act requires direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies to provide consumers with certain information regarding the comp...

10/15/2021

EPIC - EPIC Applauds FTC SpyFone Ban, Urges Similar Remedies in Future Privacy Cases

: EPIC has filed comments with the FTC asking the agency to finalize a proposed Consent Order that would permanently ban SpyFone from the business and require the stalkerware company to delete the personal data that it stole.

https://epic.org/2021/10/epic-applauds-ftc-spyfone-ban-.html

EPIC has filed comments with the Federal Trade Commission asking the agency to finalize a proposed Consent Order that would permanently ban SpyFone from the surveillance business and require the stalkerware company to delete the personal data that it stole. According to an FTC complaint, SpyFone sol...