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.
202 articles
Lunar Traffic Control System Signals New Era for Space Regulation
Engineers have built a traffic control system for the moon, creating rules of the road to prevent collisions among future lunar missions.
Federal Judge Blocks Pentagon From Blacklisting AI Firm Anthropic
A federal judge ruled the Defense Department's national security risk designation for AI company Anthropic was illegal, blocking a potential blacklist.
Indiana Data Center Growth Drives $59 Million Residential Rate Cut
Indiana Michigan Power proposes $59 million in residential rate cuts, saving households $100/year through data center revenue. IURC decision due 2027.
AI-Driven Expertise Erosion Challenges Professional Authority
AI tools are driving an expertise recession as people question doctors, teachers and managers. Use.AI research shows how AI challenges professional authority, with implications for trust and decision making.
Secrecy Agreements Shield Data Center Negotiations From Public Oversight
Many local governments sign NDAs with tech companies for data center projects, keeping details from residents. A study found 25 of 31 localities with such deals have secrecy agreements, sparking transparency debates.
Android Sideloading Gets a Mandatory Waiting Period: Here’s What Changed
Android now requires a waiting period before sideloading apps. The change aims to reduce malware but introduces friction for power users.
Ring's New Encryption System Reshapes Police Access to Video Footage
Ring rolls out TAKE encryption with rotating keys every five minutes, reducing what it can hand over to police. The move shifts privacy dynamics for millions of users.
Loopholes Undermine Flock's New Police Surveillance Rules
Despite announcing stricter policies for law enforcement use of its license plate cameras, Flock has left critical gaps that privacy advocates warn could weaken oversight.
FCC Abandons Landmark Broadband Goal, Shifts Regulatory Focus
The FCC under Ajit Pai has dropped its 100 Mbps broadband target, shifting regulatory focus away from aggressive nation wide benchmarks toward market based solutions. The move stokes debate over the digital divide and rural internet access.
New Flight Rules Could Prevent Chaos at NASA's Gateway Lunar Station
Researchers from Texas A&M University, NASA and Purdue University have developed mathematical rules to manage spacecraft traffic around the lunar Gateway station, establishing the foundation for the first airport beyond Earth.
Police Tech Giant Flock Tightens Rules But Critics Point to Surveillance Loopholes
Flock, the police-tech firm with 120,000 license plate readers, announced new anti-stalking rules. Critics say loopholes like unverified case numbers undermine the effort.
Wetherspoons Asks Pub Customers to Turn Off Smart Glasses Cameras
Wetherspoons tells customers to disable cameras on Meta smart glasses in its pubs. The policy stops short of an outright ban but raises privacy questions.
Data Center Electricity Demand Fuels Surge in Natural Gas Plant Proposals
Data center growth is accelerating natural gas power plant construction in the US. This trend threatens climate goals and raises regulatory questions about grid planning.
Australia Blocks AI-Generated Songs From Official Music Charts
Australia bans wholly AI-generated music from its charts, mandating human involvement in writing, performance and creation.
Patient Demand Grows for AI Disclosure in Healthcare
Most Americans want healthcare providers to disclose when AI influences their care, pushing for transparency rules.
Antarctic Fiber-Optic Cable Faces Geopolitical Hurdles Despite Feasibility
A Chilean feasibility study confirms a fiber-optic cable across the Drake Passage is technically viable. The project, however, faces political obstacles due to Chinese supplier links and U.S. sanctions.
Four Ex-Police Workers Arrested in Flock License Plate Camera Misuse Case
Four former Savannah Police employees were arrested for allegedly misusing Flock Safety's license plate cameras for personal reasons, raising concerns about surveillance technology oversight.
Florida Seeks to Classify ChatGPT as a Public Nuisance in Legal Battle With OpenAI
Florida is seeking a court ruling that ChatGPT is a public nuisance, while OpenAI battles to move the case to federal court. The dispute centers on data collection from children and state consumer protection laws.
Support for All-Day School Phone Bans Reaches Majority as States Enact Restrictions
A Pew survey finds 48% of American adults now support bell-to-bell phone bans, up sharply from 2024. The shift comes as 42 states move to restrict devices in schools.