Privacy & Data Protection

Covers laws and compliance requirements for collecting, using, sharing, and securing personal data, including consent, cookies and tracking, data breaches, cross-border transfers, and individuals’ privacy rights. Includes guidance on major privacy regimes (such as GDPR and U.S. state privacy laws) and related issues like cybersecurity, vendor management, and employee and consumer data handling.

13 posts

Your Landlord Just Gave Your Info to ICE — Is That Legal in Your State?

May 2, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

In many states, a landlord can’t lawfully share a tenant’s personal information with ICE unless required by a valid subpoena, warrant, or court order. Privacy, anti-discrimination, and state/local sanctuary-style rules can restrict voluntary cooperation and create penalties for improper disclosure. This article explains what the law is by state, what documents ICE must have, and […]

Civil Liberties & Legal Rights Government Policy & Legislation

The New AI Surveillance Tools Police Are Using — And What You Can Refuse

May 2, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

Police now use at least 5 major AI surveillance tools—facial recognition, ALPR/license-plate readers, predictive policing, social media monitoring, and cell-site simulators—to identify and track people. Many uses require a warrant or your consent, and you can refuse searches, questioning, and phone unlocks in most situations. This article explains the tech, your constitutional rights, and practical […]

Artificial Intelligence Consumer Rights & Legal Affairs

The Hidden Clause in Every AI Privacy Policy That Waives Your Right to Sue

May 2, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

Many AI app privacy policies include a mandatory arbitration clause that can block court lawsuits and force private arbitration. These terms are often buried in the Terms of Service and may also include class-action waivers, limiting group claims. This article explains how arbitration clauses work, common red flags, and practical steps to preserve your legal […]

Consumer Rights & Advocacy Digital Security & Online Safety

Three New States Just Passed Sweeping Privacy Laws — Are Your Favorite Apps Complying?

May 2, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

Three new states passed sweeping consumer privacy laws in 2024, expanding opt-out, access, deletion, and correction rights for residents. App and platform compliance varies, and businesses may need updated notices, data practices, and vendor contracts to meet state requirements. This article explains what the new laws require, how to spot noncompliance, and what users can […]

Consumer Rights & Advocacy Cybersecurity & Digital Safety

Why Genetic Testing Companies Can Legally Share Your DNA — and How to Stop Them

May 1, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

Genetic testing companies can legally share your DNA data because most U.S. privacy laws allow it with your consent in their terms and privacy policies. This consent often permits sharing with research partners, advertisers, and sometimes law enforcement under specific requests. This article explains what “consent” really covers, key legal limits, and practical steps to […]

Consumer Rights Privacy & Data Protection

The Surveillance Pricing Laws That Will Change How Uber Charges You

May 1, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

Several U.S. states—most notably California under the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA)—are moving to restrict “surveillance pricing,” where companies use personal data to set individualized prices like Uber fares. These rules can limit profiling, require transparency, and give consumers rights to opt out of certain data uses, potentially changing how ride‑hailing apps calculate charges. This […]

Cybersecurity & Online Safety Digital Consumer Rights

The ‘Dark Patterns’ That Make Privacy Settings Worthless — Now Illegal

May 1, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

Dark patterns that subvert or impair user consent are now illegal under laws like the CPRA and multiple state privacy statutes. Regulators treat manipulative cookie banners, confusing opt-outs, and forced “accept” flows as invalid consent. This article defines dark patterns, explains the legal standards, and outlines compliance steps and enforcement risk. What Are Dark Patterns? […]

Artificial Intelligence & Technology Consumer Protection & Advocacy

Your Face Is Now a Trade Secret — How to Protect It

May 1, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

Facial recognition systems can identify you in seconds with accuracy rates above 99% in controlled testing. Companies collect and monetize facial templates, which can be protected as trade secrets when kept confidential and misappropriated. This article explains how trade secret law applies to facial data and what steps you can take to protect it. What […]

Child & Teen Online Safety Internet Law & Regulation

The Kids Online Privacy Protection Act – What Changed in 2026

May 1, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

In 2026, COPPA’s protections expanded beyond under-13 users by tightening consent, limiting data collection, and strengthening FTC enforcement for child-directed online services. These changes target kids’ apps, games, and platforms that collect identifiers, location, or behavioral data. This article explains what changed, who must comply, and what parents and businesses should do. Understanding COPPA and […]

Consumer Rights & Advocacy Digital Law & Compliance

If a Company Sells Your Data, These Are the New Disclosure Rules

May 1, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

New data sale disclosure rules require companies to clearly disclose when they sell personal data and how consumers can opt out. These notices must be easy to find and explain what data is sold and to whom. This article covers the new disclosure requirements, your consumer rights, and steps to take if your data is […]

Consumer Rights & Advocacy Legal & Regulatory Affairs

California’s New CCPA Amendments Let You Do This in 30 Seconds

May 1, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

California’s latest CCPA amendments make it possible to honor certain consumer privacy requests—like opting out of the sale/sharing of personal information—in as little as 30 seconds when your compliance workflow is set up. The changes refine key definitions and consent rules and increase expectations for how quickly businesses process and document requests. This article explains […]

Artificial Intelligence Attorney-Client Privilege

The Chilling Court Ruling That Just Killed Attorney-Client Privilege for ChatGPT Users

May 1, 2026 • By Jack Gilbert

A judge ruled that ChatGPT-related communications may not qualify for attorney-client privilege. Because AI tools aren’t your lawyer and may involve third-party services, sharing legal facts there can waive confidentiality. This article explains the ruling’s impact, when privilege applies, and safer ways to use AI with your attorney. What Just Happened in Court? A recent […]

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