Privacy

Federal Court Blocks DHS from Using Medicaid Data for Immigration Enforcement, Safeguarding Patient Privacy in 20 States

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SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge has issued a temporary ruling preventing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from utilizing Medicaid data from Washington and 19 additional states for immigration enforcement. The preliminary injunction, delivered by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, addresses a multistate lawsuit filed in Northern California, citing inadequate protocol by federal agencies regarding the sharing of sensitive health information. Judge Chhabria’s decision indicated a need for adherence to proper decision-making processes when altering policies tied to personal health data. As a result of the injunction, the U.S. Department of Health and Human … Read more

U.S. Politicians Rally Against U.K. Online Safety Law, Fear for Free Speech and Privacy Rights

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LONDON, United Kingdom — A growing contingent of U.S. lawmakers is vocally opposing a recently enacted British law that mandates certain websites and apps to verify the ages of users, including those based in the United States. This concern has escalated following the implementation of the U.K.’s Online Safety Act, which took effect on July 25. A bipartisan delegation of Congress members traveled to London to express their apprehensions about the new law, which critics claim infringes upon free speech and targets vulnerable populations. Vice President JD Vance has been particularly vocal about the law’s … Read more

Idaho Court Ruling: Law Mandating Restroom Use by Biological Sex Sparks Controversy Over Student Privacy

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BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho judge has upheld a controversial law mandating that students in public schools use restrooms based on their biological sex. This ruling has reignited debates about the rights of transgender students and the concerns surrounding privacy in educational settings. In the court’s decision, the judge acknowledged the complexities of enforcing the law, particularly the potential for privacy issues affecting transgender students. The ruling emphasized, however, that it also necessitates schools to offer alternative options for those who may feel uncomfortable with the directive. This law, initially passed in 2020, has faced … Read more

California Jury Rules Meta Violated Privacy Laws by Illegally Collecting Health Data from Flo App Users

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A San Francisco jury has determined that Meta Platforms Inc. unlawfully gathered health data from users of the Flo period-tracking application, breaching California’s wiretap laws. This ruling emerges from a 2021 lawsuit in which users of the Flo app accused Meta, Alongside Google, Flo itself, and analytics company Flurry, of collecting their private menstrual health information without their consent for targeted advertising. During the trial, evidence indicated that Flo, despite assurances of user privacy, permitted Meta and Google to monitor in-app communications between late 2016 and early 2019. This allegedly contravened California’s Invasion of Privacy … Read more