Malaysia’s New Cyber Law Stirs Debate Over Freedom of Speech and Online Anonymity Amid Calls for Stricter Social Media Regulation

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Fahmi Fadzil, Malaysia’s Minister of Communications, has recently intensified his criticism of major online platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Telegram, and X, for their inconsistent efforts to control scams, cyberbullying, and the spread of child exploitation materials. This push has highlighted his broader concerns about the harmful content proliferating on these networks, which are among the most used in the country. The Malaysian government’s incipient proposal to bring new cyber laws has raised significant concerns regarding freedom of expression. Human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen has described the initiative as haste and … Read more

Family Member of Injured Trooper Advocates for Stricter Laws Against Habitual Violent Offenders

Nashville, TN — The recent shooting of a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper has spurred his brother into action, advocating for legislative reforms targeting repeat violent offenders. Kevin Hilliard, who received widespread support after his brother was injured in the line of duty, is now leveraging his voice to urge tightened legislation that aims to keep habitual offenders off the streets. Walter Lee Hilliard III was conducting a traffic stop when the tragic incident occurred, leaving him grievously wounded. The suspect involved in the shooting was a previously convicted felon with a history of violent crimes, … Read more

Illinois GOP Chair Criticizes State’s Voting Laws on Final Day, Pushes for Stricter Regulations

MILWAUKEE — In a notable address on his final day as chair, Don Tracy criticized Illinois’ voting regulations, labeling them as lax and forecasting a continued push for stricter measures under his successor, Kathy Salvi. Tracy, a lawyer from Springfield, is departing after more than three years at the helm of the Illinois Republican Party, amid a period marked by significant electoral setbacks for the GOP. During his tenure, Tracy instituted the role of a full-time election integrity director, striving to compensate for the dwindling influence of local GOP organizations at the county and township … Read more

Seven States Debut Stricter Consumer Privacy Measures in 2024: New Laws Shake Up Compliance Norms

In the first six months of 2024, a wave of privacy regulations took hold in the United States as Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Rhode Island enacted new comprehensive data privacy laws. These states joined a growing list that seeks to address the myriad challenges posed by the digital age, raising the total to 19 states that have adopted such measures. At their core, the 2024 laws continue to reflect the foundations set by earlier statutes, including non-existent private rights of action and provisions allowing entities time to correct violations. Noteworthy … Read more