Tech Policy & Regulation
Analyze the intersection of law and technology. Stay updated on global compliance standards, government tech regulations, censorship laws, and evolving digital policies.
333 articles
Flock Safety Turns to Spying Drones as Private Surveillance Escalates
Flock Safety is expanding from cameras to drones, enabling aerial monitoring of neighborhoods. The move intensifies privacy debates and regulatory gaps.
US Distributor RoboStore Shifts to Robot Manufacturing After Chinese Import Ban
RoboStore pivots from distributing Chinese humanoid robots to manufacturing its own in New York, following a US ban on foreign-made robots. The move affects research at universities and companies like Nvidia.
British County Rejects Palantir Healthcare Data Deal
Greater Manchester refuses to share health data with Palantir, challenging a major UK government contract and igniting a debate over public-sector data sovereignty.
SpaceX Orbital Data Centers Create New E-Waste Crisis for Earth
SpaceX's orbital data center plan would generate massive e-waste as satellites are decommissioned, with materials lost to Earth forever.
Tool Helps Songwriters Claim $656M in Unclaimed Royalties at the MLC
A new tool called Check lets songwriters search for unpaid royalties at the Mechanical Licensing Collective, where $656M remains unclaimed.
Data Center Emissions Could Surpass Entire Auto Industry
New analysis shows planned US data centers will produce carbon dioxide equivalent to 24 million cars annually, raising urgent questions about climate goals.
Data Center Gas Plants Burn Fuel With Far Lower Efficiency Than Standard Power Stations
A new Texas gas plant for data centers uses less efficient turbines. This trend increases emissions and challenges climate goals.
Google Workspace Grants Gemini Default Access to Corporate Data
Google Workspace enables Gemini to read emails, documents and calendar entries by default. Administrators can disable the setting, but many remain unaware of the privacy risk.
Grid Operator PJM Targets New Data Centers With Curtailment Rules Amid Power Crunch
PJM Interconnection proposed rules to cut power to new data centers before homes during shortages, requiring 50MW-plus facilities to bring their own generation by 2027.
Flock Safety’s New Guardrails Fail to Silence Privacy Concerns
Flock Safety requires case numbers for searches, but critics say loopholes remain amid a growing surveillance backlash from cities and activists.
Lawmakers Move to Ban AI Marriage as Chatbot Relationships Grow
Republican state lawmakers are drafting legislation to prevent human-AI marriages from gaining legal recognition, responding to a trend of people forming romantic bonds with chatbots.
First US Case of AI Prompt Injection in Court Filings Sets Dangerous Precedent
A Connecticut judge found a litigant hid AI-readable instructions in court documents. The tactic, though ineffective, signals a new threat to legal system integrity.
Violent Cargo Thefts Target AI Hardware on California Highways
Cargo thieves are using violent tactics to hijack AI servers in California, exploiting U.S. export controls that drive black market prices in China far above retail.
Android App Turns Your Phone Into a Censorship-Fighting Tool
A new Android app allows anyone to run a Tor proxy from their phone, showing real-time impact on bypassing internet censorship. No technical expertise required.
Apple Faces New Privacy Questions Over Encryption Standards
Apple's encryption tools for private conversations face renewed government pressure. The outcome could reshape privacy protections for millions of iPhone users.
FAA Recruits Videogamers to Solve Air Traffic Controller Shortage
The FAA is hiring over 2,000 videogamers as air traffic controllers, leveraging gaming skills to address a critical staffing shortage.
FCC Approves Space Mirrors Despite Expert Warnings on Stargazing and Wildlife
FCC authorizes Reflect Orbital's sunlight-reflecting satellites. Experts warn of light pollution disrupting astronomy and wildlife. The plan advances space solar power with regulatory and environmental controversy.
Phone Tracking Joins License Plate Readers in Expanding Surveillance Reach
New surveillance technology allows license plate readers to also track nearby phones by capturing device signals. The capability raises serious privacy concerns as it links vehicle and personal data.
Surveillance System Links Mobile Devices to License Plates in Real Time
Leonardo's SignalTrace pairs phone signals with license plate data to build device-vehicle profiles. Law enforcement can then track individuals without knowing plate numbers.