Legal News & Analysis
Breaking developments in recording laws, privacy legislation, digital rights, and legal technology.
528 articles
Illinois Enacts Social Media Age-Assurance Law (HB 5511)
Gov. Pritzker signed Illinois HB 5511 into law July 31, 2026 as Public Act 104-0664, using device-level age checks and default protections for minors.
Washington's AI Deepfake Law (SSB 5886) Takes Effect June 11
Washington SSB 5886 takes effect June 11, 2026, adding a forged digital likeness to RCW 63.60. The new AI deepfake law covers real-time voice and video clones and allows noneconomic damages.
Texas App Store Age-Verification Law (SB 2420) Takes Effect
Texas SB 2420, the App Store Accountability Act, took effect June 4, 2026 after the Fifth Circuit stayed a federal injunction. What the app store age-verification law requires and the ongoing First Amendment appeal.
FTC Seeks Comment on X's Bid to End the Twitter Privacy Order (2026)
On June 4, 2026, the FTC opened public comment on X Corp.'s petition to set aside the 2022 Twitter privacy order tied to a $150 million penalty. Comments are due July 2, 2026.
FTC Finalizes Order Against Illuminate Over Student Data Breach (2026)
On June 5, 2026, the FTC finalized a consent order against ed-tech firm Illuminate Education over a breach exposing 10.1 million students data, mandating deletion and security but no fine.
Louisiana HB 410 Becomes Law: Smart-Glasses Recording-Notice Rule (Act 965 of 2026)
Louisiana HB 410 became Act 965 without the Governor's signature, effective August 1, 2026. It requires notice before recording in-person conversations with smart glasses.
Boulder Sued Over Flock License-Plate Camera Surveillance (2026)
Two Boulder residents sued the city in May 2026, alleging its 31 Flock license-plate cameras track drivers without a warrant under the Colorado Constitution.
Supreme Court Upholds FCC Fines Over Carrier Location Data (2026)
The Supreme Court ruled 8-1 on June 4, 2026 that the FCC can fine carriers for mishandling customer location data without a jury, reinstating nearly $200M in penalties.
Delaware Clears 64,000 Records in First Clean Slate Auto Batch (2026)
Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer said on June 1, 2026 the first automated Clean Slate batch cleared over 64,000 eligible low-level cases from public background checks.
Iowa Age-Verification Law (HF 864) Takes Effect July 1, 2026
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 864 on June 1, 2026, requiring adult sites to verify users' ages from July 1 and barring verifiers from keeping the ID data.
Massachusetts Court Upholds Police Bodycam Under the Wiretap Law (2026)
The Massachusetts SJC ruled June 2, 2026 that police body-camera footage from a sobriety checkpoint was not a secret recording under the state wiretap law.
FTC Settles "Active Listening" Ad Claims With Cox Media Group (2026)
The FTC announced May 21, 2026 that Cox Media Group and two firms will pay $930,000 to settle charges they deceptively marketed an "Active Listening" service that claimed to record smart-device conversations.
California Sues 23andMe's Successor Over Genetic Data Breach (2026)
California AG Rob Bonta sued Chrome Holding Co. (formerly 23andMe) on May 28, 2026 over the 2023 genetic data breach affecting nearly 7 million people, invoking GIPA and the CCPA.
Amazon Ring Sued Over "Familiar Faces" Facial Recognition (2026)
A Virginia man's June 2026 class action (No. 2:26-cv-01887, W.D. Wash.) alleges Amazon Ring's Familiar Faces feature scans biometric faceprints of non-users without consent.
Louisiana HB 475: Disclosure Required Before AI-Recorded Medical Visits
Louisiana HB 475 (2026) passed the Legislature and awaits Gov. Landry's signature as of June 3, 2026. It would require providers to disclose AI-transcribed recording of medical visits.
New York Biometric Bill (S2539) Clears Senate, Heads to Assembly
New York's S2539 biometric bill passed the Senate 55-5 on May 12, 2026, and would require stores to post biometric scanning warning signs. As of June 3, 2026 it is not yet law.
Arizona Squatter Law: SB 1426 Fast-Tracks Removal (2026)
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed SB 1426 (Chapter 69, 2026), amending A.R.S. 12-1173 to fast-track removal of unlawful occupants and speed the writ of restitution.
Florida Whistleblower Ruling: Gessner Raises the Bar (2026)
In Gessner v. Southern Company (May 28, 2026), the Florida Supreme Court held private-sector whistleblowers must prove the conduct was, by definition, unlawful.
Louisiana Data Privacy Act Becomes Law: SB 386 Signed as Act 502
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed SB 386 as Act 502 on May 29, 2026, enacting the Louisiana Data Privacy Act (R.S. 51:1780.1 et seq.), effective Jan. 1, 2027.
Belt Parkway Dashcam Catches Insurance Fraud Scheme: What You Need to Know
Dashcam video exposes a staged insurance fraud scheme on the Belt Parkway in Queens. Learn about the arrests, New York insurance fraud laws, and dashcam recording rights.
DEFIANCE Act: Senate-Passed Bill on Deepfake Porn Lawsuits
The DEFIANCE Act (S.1837) passed the Senate unanimously on January 13, 2026 and would let deepfake porn victims sue. It is not law: the House has not voted.
Don't Steal This Book: 10,000 Authors Publish Empty Novel to Protest AI Copyright Theft
Nearly 10,000 authors published an empty book protesting AI copyright theft. Plus: the $3B+ Anthropic lawsuit and UK copyright reversal.
California SB 1247: The Sharenting Bill That Lets Kids Delete Their Parents' Content
California SB 1247 lets children featured in monetized content demand deletion at 18. $3,000/day fines for non-compliant parents. Hearing April 6, 2026.
Meta Smart Glasses Privacy Scandal: Class Action, Recording Laws, and What Users Need to Know
Class action alleges Meta shipped intimate Ray-Ban smart glasses footage to Kenya contractors for AI training. What federal and state recording laws say about it.