Legal News & Analysis
Breaking developments in recording laws, privacy legislation, digital rights, and legal technology.
525 articles
Capital One Data Breach Settlement in Canada: C$35 Million Deal Awaits Court Approval
Capital One proposed a C$35 million settlement over its 2019 Canadian data breach. Opt out by Sept 11, 2026; BC Supreme Court hearing set for Sept 22, 2026.
Ohio HB 492 Makes It a Crime for Drivers and Passengers to Refuse to Identify Themselves at Traffic Stops
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed HB 492 on July 7, 2026, requiring drivers and passengers to give their name, address, and date of birth at traffic stops. Effective October 5, 2026.
New Jersey FAIR Act Bans Algorithmic Rent-Setting Software
Gov. Sherrill signed New Jersey's FAIR Act (A3497) on July 20, 2026, banning landlords from sharing rent data or using pricing algorithms to coordinate rents. Effective July 2027.
Veterans Benefits Bill (TCAVA) Stalls in the House: Sleep Apnea and Tinnitus Changes Explained
A major veterans bill (TCAVA, H.R. 9237) that would restructure VA sleep apnea and tinnitus ratings stalled in the House on July 16, 2026. It is not law. Here is what Section 108 would actually do.
UK High Court Dismisses Prince Harry's Privacy Case Against Daily Mail Publisher
The High Court dismissed all 97 privacy claims by Prince Harry, Elton John, Baroness Lawrence and four others against the Daily Mail publisher, finding they failed to prove unlawful information gathering.
New Jersey's First-in-the-Nation E-Bike Insurance Law Takes Effect July 19
New Jersey's e-bike law hit its July 19, 2026 compliance deadline: e-bikes must be registered, riders licensed, and motorized bicycles insured, a first-in-the-nation e-bike insurance mandate.
El Paso Jury Awards $104 Million Over Fatal Truck-Driver-Fatigue Crash
An El Paso jury awarded $104 million against Mesilla Valley Transportation after finding a driver fell asleep and killed a co-driver in the sleeper berth. The carrier is weighing an appeal.
Capital Health $4.5M Data Breach Settlement Gets Final Approval; Payments Next
A federal judge granted final approval on July 14, 2026 to the $4.5M Capital Health data breach settlement. The claim window closed April 6, 2026; approved payments follow after appeals.
Hawaii Enacts the AI Disclosure and Safety Act (Act 248), Regulating Chatbots
Hawaii signed the AI Disclosure and Safety Act (Act 248) on July 14, 2026, requiring conversational AI to disclose it is a machine, add self-harm protocols, and protect minors.
Cleveland Renews Flock License Plate Reader Contract With New Limits as Appleton Ends Its Program
Cleveland renewed its Flock license plate reader contract 9-6 with new limits on July 15, 2026, the same day Appleton, Wisconsin terminated its Flock contract.
Illinois Court: Jury Must Decide Actual Malice in Campaign Mailer Defamation Case
Illinois appeals court rules a jury, not a judge, must decide if a campaign acted with actual malice over $36,000 tax fraud mailers against Burr Ridge's mayor.
Illinois Appellate Court Rejects $1 Nominal Damages Award in Facebook Defamation Per Se Case
An Illinois appeals court vacated a $1 defamation damages award to a doctor, holding nominal damages cannot substitute for proven harm in a per se case.
Seventh Circuit Rules TCPA Text Messages Are Not Telephone Calls Under Do-Not-Call Law
The Seventh Circuit ruled TCPA text messages are not telephone calls under Do-Not-Call law, creating a circuit split with the Ninth Circuit's Howard ruling.
Kevin O'Leary, Fox News Sued for Defamation Over Alleged CCP Smear Campaign Against Utah Advocacy Groups
Two Utah groups sued Kevin O'Leary and Fox News for defamation on July 15, 2026, over alleged false Chinese Communist Party claims. Nothing is decided.
Madison Square Garden Sues Wired for Defamation Over Alleged Celebrity Risk List
MSG sued Wired for defamation on July 16, 2026 in New York court over a celebrity risk-list article. Nothing decided yet; here's what the lawsuit alleges.
FTC Finalizes Order Against TruHeight Over Fake Reviews and Unsubstantiated Kids' Height-Growth Claims
FTC finalized a July 15, 2026 order against TruHeight over fake reviews and unproven kids' height-supplement claims, with a $4M judgment suspended to $750K.
Nebraska WARN Act (LB 921) Takes Effect: 90-Day Layoff Notice Now Required
Nebraska's LB 921 mini-WARN Act took effect July 18, 2026, requiring 100+-employee employers to give 90 days' layoff notice, 30 more than federal WARN's 60 days.
Freund v. Collins: Proposed VA Disability Appeals Settlement, What Veterans Need to Know
A proposed Freund v. Collins settlement could reopen nearly 93,000 VA disability appeals. Fairness hearing set for August 13, 2026. Not yet final.
Seventh Circuit Revives BIPA Suit Over Gunnar's Virtual Try-On, Narrowing the Health Care Exemption
The Seventh Circuit revived a BIPA suit against Gunnar Optiks, ruling its virtual try-on face scans appear aesthetic, not medical, so the health care exemption cannot win dismissal.
23andMe Pays $18 Million to 42 State Attorneys General Over Its Genetic Data Breach
A coalition of 42 state attorneys general secured an $18 million settlement with 23andMe over its 2023 genetic data breach. The money goes to the states, not a new consumer payout.
Illinois Appeals Court Affirms $45 Million J&J Talc Verdict, Upholds Survival Act Damages
On July 10, 2026, an Illinois appellate panel affirmed a $45 million talc mesothelioma verdict against Johnson & Johnson, upholding a $30 million Survival Act shortened-life-expectancy award.
xAI Sues Grok User Over Alleged AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
xAI sued a Grok user in Texas federal court on July 14, 2026 over alleged AI deepfakes and CSAM. What the TOS-breach theory means for AI liability.
NYC Finalizes Click-to-Cancel Rule, Proposes All-In Pricing Rule for Junk Fees
New York City finalized a Click-to-Cancel rule effective October 1, 2026, the first US city to do so, while a separate all-in pricing rule on junk fees remains proposed, with an August 7, 2026 hearing.
Singapore Court Orders Bloomberg to Pay Two Ministers S$230,000 Each in Defamation Ruling
Singapore's High Court ruled Bloomberg defamed ministers Shanmugam and Tan See Leng in [2026] SGHC 147, awarding S$230,000 each and rejecting a public-interest defense.