Legal News & Analysis
Breaking developments in recording laws, privacy legislation, digital rights, and legal technology.
515 articles
California Requires Officers to Seize Ammunition Under Protective Orders
California AB 1753, Chapter 458, was signed September 26, 2026. It requires officers to seize ammunition in plain sight and phases in new court procedures through 2028.
California Makes Companies Tell the AG Before Handing Over Abortion Records
California AB 1930, Chapter 468, was signed September 26, 2026. New Civil Code 1798.309 requires seven business days notice to the Attorney General before producing records.
California Extends Its Child Support License Safe Harbor to Every License
California AB 2195, Chapter 291, signed September 18, 2026, lets a low-income support obligor claim relief from suspension of any professional or occupational license.
Idaho Upholds a $1.176M Defamation Verdict and Flags AI-Faked Citations
The Idaho Supreme Court affirmed a $1,176,000 defamation judgment on September 22, 2026 and found only six of twenty-two quotations in the appellant's brief were accurate.
A Federal Judge Calls AI Deepfake Defamation Uncharted Territory
A federal court in Tennessee let a defamation claim over AI-generated videos survive dismissal on September 16, 2026, finding no caselaw on whether a deepfake can defame.
Braun's Law Signed: Two of California's Four DUI Bills Wait Until 2031
Newsom signed a four-bill California DUI package on September 25, 2026. Only SB 907 is chaptered, and two of the bills do not become operative until 2031.
Florida Court: No Jail Threat to Collect an Anti-SLAPP Fee Award
Florida's Fifth DCA reversed a contempt order on September 25, 2026, holding an anti-SLAPP fee judgment is a debt that cannot be enforced by threatening jail.
Passantino Defamation Suit Against Weissmann Dismissed on Negligence
A D.D.C. judge ended Stefan Passantino's defamation suit on September 21, 2026, holding he pleaded no facts showing negligence, without deciding truth or public-figure status.
Judge Orders White House to Restore CNN, MS NOW, POLITICO Passes
A federal judge entered a 14-day TRO on September 24, 2026, ordering White House officials to restore the revoked hard passes of CNN, MS NOW and POLITICO staff.
EEOC Alleges Shipbuilder Pulled Job Offer Over VA Disability Rating
The EEOC sued Eastern Shipbuilding Group on Sept. 24, 2026, alleging it rescinded an Army veteran's job offer over his VA rating. The claims remain unproven.
Bundestag and Bundesrat Pass Bundespolizeigesetz Reform
The Bundestag and Bundesrat both passed the Bundespolizeigesetz modernisation on 25 September 2026. What it authorises, including real-time biometric detection.
44 State AGs Settle With Labcorp Over 2019 AMCA Data Breach
44 state attorneys general settled with Labcorp for $2,287,455 over the 2019 AMCA breach. The money goes to the states, not consumers, and no claim form exists.
Visa, Mastercard $167.5M Non-Bank ATM Fee Settlement: Claims Open
A $167.5M Visa and Mastercard antitrust settlement covers unreimbursed non-bank ATM fees, 2007 to 2026. Claims close Feb. 10, 2027; court approval pending.
Seattle Bans Pet Rent and Package Fees: What Takes Effect in 2027
Seattle Ordinance 127497 bans pet rent, package and admin fees and requires all-in rental pricing. It takes effect July 1, 2027 for new and renewed leases only.
TikTok Drops ICO Appeals and Accepts £12.7m Children's Data Fine
TikTok withdrew both appeals on 24 September 2026, making the ICO's £12.7m children's data penalty final and unblocking the open recommender systems probe.
Newsom Vetoes Two California HOA Bills: AB 2439, SB 1238
Newsom vetoed California HOA bills AB 2439 and SB 1238 on September 20, 2026. Neither took effect, and the Davis-Stirling Act is unchanged.
Five California Privacy Bills: Four Signed Into Law, One Vetoed
Five California privacy, recording and workplace surveillance bills are enrolled and awaiting the Governor's action. None is law as of September 24, 2026.
EEOC Sues Ollie's and MedStar in Two ADA Hiring Cases
The EEOC announced two ADA hiring lawsuits on Sept. 23, 2026, against Ollie's Bargain Outlet and MedStar Health. The allegations are unproven.
Court Approves $5M EyeMed Data Breach Settlement; Claims Closed
Judge grants final approval of the $5M EyeMed data breach settlement, Sept. 18, 2026. The claim deadline passed Dec. 11, 2025 and did not reopen.
Judge Denies Approval of $2.3M OE Federal Breach Settlement
A federal judge denied preliminary approval of the $2.3M OE Federal Credit Union data breach settlement on Sept. 16, 2026. There is no claim form.
Canada Opens PIPEDA Investigation Into IDScan.net Breach
Canada's Privacy Commissioner opened a PIPEDA investigation into IDScan.net on September 21, 2026 over a driver's licence breach. No findings yet.
Texas Jury Finds School Defamed HR Director; No Judgment Yet
A Fort Worth federal jury found Trinity Valley School defamed its former HR director. No final judgment has been entered; a post-trial motion is pending.
Justice Kagan Denies Surrogate's Emergency Stay in Parentage Case
Justice Kagan denied an emergency stay Sept. 22, 2026 in a California surrogacy parentage case. A stay denial is not a merits ruling and sets no precedent.
California Bars Courts From Requiring Advance Notice Before an Emergency Restraining Order
California AB 1657, Chapter 368, bars courts from requiring advance notice to the restrained party, or an explanation for its absence, before an ex parte DV restraining order.