Moderate
Guidance
Published
United States (federal) · Oct 5, 2026
EPIC analysis links pixel‑tracking litigation under ECPA and CIPA to upcoming Supreme Court VPPA case
EPIC outlines how recent court decisions using the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) and California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) address non‑consensual pixel tracking and its privacy harms. The analysis cites multiple…
HHS OCR · HIPAA Privacy, Security and Breach Notification Rules
Low
Lawsuit filed
Filed
United States (federal) · Oct 2, 2026
EPIC files amicus brief challenging Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy sale of employee data to Google
EPIC and Professor Seema Patel submitted an amicus brief in a bankruptcy case to contest Spirit Airlines' proposed $10 million sale of employee data to Google for AI training. The brief argues the sale lacks adequate privacy protections…
Low
Proposed bill
Introduced
United States (federal) · Oct 2, 2026
Rep. Darrell Issa introduces the American Copyright Protection Act (H.R. 10364) targeting VPNs for site‑blocking
Rep. Darrell Issa (R‑CA) has introduced H.R. 10364, the American Copyright Protection Act, which would allow copyright owners to seek court orders blocking U.S. users from foreign piracy sites. The bill expands blocking obligations to…
American Copyright Protection Act (ACPA)
Low
Court ruling
Decided
New York · Oct 2, 2026
Federal judge rejects motion to dismiss social media surveillance lawsuit against Trump administration
A U.S. District Court in New York denied the government’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by three labor unions alleging viewpoint‑based social media surveillance of noncitizens. The case, filed in October 2025, targets the Departments…
Administrative Procedure Act
Moderate
New law
Signed
California · Oct 2, 2026
California Governor signs three AI employment laws
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 947, SB 951, and AB 1883 to regulate AI in employment. The laws restrict automated decision systems, require technology-related layoff notices, and limit workplace surveillance tools. Each law includes civil…
California Labor Commissioner · SB 947 (No Robo Bosses Act)
Low
Guidance
Published
European Union · Oct 2, 2026
EDPB adopts Guidelines 04/2026 on GDPR fines and corrective powers for public consultation
The European Data Protection Board adopted Guidelines 04/2026 on the application of administrative fines and other corrective powers under the EU GDPR. The guidelines were released on September 17, 2026 for public consultation.
European Data Protection Board · General Data Protection Regulation
Moderate
Proposed regulation
Proposed
European Union · Oct 2, 2026
Commission seeks feedback on proposed EU Kids Act
The European Commission is gathering feedback on the proposed EU Kids Act, which aims to improve online safety for children with measures such as a social‑media delay, safety‑by‑design rules, privacy‑preserving age assurance, and…
European Commission · EU Kids Act
Moderate
Guidance
Published
France · Oct 2, 2026
CNIL explains when data‑breach victims can claim compensation under the GDPR
The CNIL outlines that individuals can seek damages only if a GDPR breach caused a real material or moral injury, and they can prove a causal link. Compensation is awarded by a judge, not the CNIL, and the regulator may only impose…
CNIL · RGPD
High
Guidance
In effect
United States (federal) · Oct 2, 2026 · effective Nov 2, 2026
DOI establishes new matching program under Privacy Act of 1974
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced a new matching program that will compare records from 20 DOI programs with the Treasury's Do Not Pay Working System. The program aims to verify prepayment or pre‑award eligibility, prevent…
U.S. Department of the Interior · Privacy Act of 1974
Low
Enforcement
Announced
California · Oct 1, 2026
EFF and ACLU demand records from Marin County Sheriff over illegal ALPR data sharing
The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the ACLU of Northern California sent a demand letter to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office requesting records under the California Public Records Act. The letter alleges violations of California law SB…
SB 34
Low
Court ruling
In effect
United States (federal) · Oct 1, 2026
Court order forces Google to allow third‑party app stores on Play Store
A court order stemming from Epic Games v. Google requires Google to permit rival Android app stores to be listed in the Play Store and to let developers direct users to alternative payment and distribution options. The change expands user…
Low
Court ruling
In effect
Utah · Oct 1, 2026
Federal judge blocks Utah's anti-VPN age‑verification law (SB 73) with preliminary injunction
A U.S. federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting enforcement of Utah's SB 73, which required adult websites to block VPN users or determine their physical location for age verification. The court found the statute imposes a…
Utah SB 73
Low
Guidance
Announced
United States (federal) · Oct 1, 2026
EFF launches Opt Out October campaign urging users to leave tech giants for privacy
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) released its annual Opt Out October campaign, encouraging individuals to regain control of their data by opting out of major platforms, apps, and operating systems. The initiative provides…
High
Guidance
Published
France · Oct 1, 2026 · effective Oct 1, 2026
CNIL and Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr release guide for individuals on personal data breach response
The French data protection authority (CNIL) and Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr have published a practical support document titled “Violation de données personnelles, que faire en 3 étapes clés ?”. The guide provides a three‑step checklist for…
CNIL
Moderate
Enforcement
Announced
Bulgaria · Oct 1, 2026
European Commission sends formal notice to Bulgaria for non‑compliance with the Digital Services Act
The Commission issued a formal notice (INFR(2024)2241) to Bulgaria for failing to fully comply with the DSA, specifically for not designating and empowering the required Digital Services Coordinators. Bulgaria has two months to respond…
European Commission · Digital Services Act
Moderate
Proposed regulation
Announced
United States (federal) · Oct 1, 2026
HUD announces intent to establish eVMS system of records under the Privacy Act
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a Federal Register notice announcing its intent to create a new Privacy Act system of records called the Enterprise Voucher Management System (eVMS). The system will manage…
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) · Privacy Act of 1974
Low
Court ruling
Decided
California · Sep 30, 2026
California Court of Appeals affirms dismissal of CEO's anti‑SLAPP suit against journalist
The California Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit filed by former Premise Data CEO Maury Blackman against journalist Jack Poulson, Substack, and AWS. The court ruled the suit was meritless under California’s…
California anti‑SLAPP statute
Moderate
Proposed bill
Introduced
United States (federal) · Sep 30, 2026
Senator Markey Introduces Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2026
Senators Markey and Merkley, together with Representatives Jaypal, Pressley, and Tlaib, introduced legislation to halt federal use of biometric surveillance, including facial recognition. The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology…
Low
Guidance
Published
United States (federal) · Sep 30, 2026
EFF discusses privacy implications of Apple Siri AI features in iOS 27
The EFF newsletter examines how Apple’s new Siri AI in iOS 27 handles user data. It contrasts on‑device processing with server‑side processing and explains the privacy risks. The piece offers guidance on limiting the data Siri can access.
Moderate
Guidance
Published
United States (federal) · Sep 30, 2026
NHTSA seeks OMB approval to renew and modify information collection for qualitative feedback on service delivery
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced its intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew a currently approved information collection, adding annual tracking studies for…
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
