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
South Korea Clears Humanoid Robots for Factory Floors
South Korea's regulatory sandbox now lets humanoid robots work near humans in factories, easing safety rules that long kept them fenced off.
Dutch Tax Office Drops Microsoft 365 in Favor of Open Source
The Dutch tax authority scrapped its Microsoft 365 cloud rollout and is pivoting to open source, citing data sovereignty and vendor lock-in concerns.
ICE Plans $100M Domestic Surveillance Program Codenamed 'Nightmare'
Federal contracting documents reveal ICE is planning a $100 million domestic spy program internally called 'Nightmare,' raising major civil liberties concerns.
Engineer Builds ALPR Camera to Flag Police Cars, Draws Visit From Peel Regional Police
Anthony Sistilli built a Flock-style camera that detects police vehicles using license plate recognition. Peel Regional Police visited him afterward, raising questions about surveillance reciprocity.
Europe's Data Center Boom Could Push Power Bills Higher, Moody's Warns
Moody's warns Europe's data center expansion could raise electricity prices as grid upgrade costs shift to consumers. Government intervention may be needed to protect billpayers.
The Book That Will Never Be Read: A Digital Artifact of Our Time
A viral Hacker News discussion examines the paradox of a book that will never be read, exploring how digital preservation and information overload create modern artifacts.
Free Information Reshapes the Case for the College Campus
The debate over what a college campus is for has intensified as free online information challenges the traditional value of higher education. This article examines the shifting economics of learning and what it means for students and institutions.
NASA Opens Competition for Commercial Space Stations as ISS Era Nears End
NASA released a request for proposals for private space stations to replace the International Space Station after 2030, marking a major step in the transition to commercial low-Earth orbit platforms.
Publishers Reportedly Use AI Slop While Publicly Condemning It
Major publishers are accused of using AI-generated content for cover art, text and publicity, contradicting their stated opposition to AI slop.
Utah Tests AI-Only Medical Prescriptions in New Pilot Program
Utah is testing AI-only medical examinations and prescriptions for certain patients. The pilot raises questions about safety and oversight while aiming to improve access.
Critics Label AI Industry as Parasitic Amid Business Model Backlash
A controversial headline accusing AI companies of being parasites has ignited debate over data extraction, market power and ethical practices in the sector.
Texas City Demands $2.3 Million Fee to Release Flock Camera Records
North Richland Hills, Texas, asked a privacy group to pay $2.3 million for public records on Flock surveillance cameras, a move critics call a transparency barrier.
ChatGPT Signs Real Cartoonists' Names to AI-Generated New Yorker Cartoons
ChatGPT adds real cartoonists' signatures to AI-generated New Yorker cartoons, raising forgery, copyright and ethical concerns for the AI industry.
Norway's Smart Glasses Ban Could Reshape Wearable Tech Regulation
Norway is considering the most extensive ban on smart glasses yet, citing privacy risks. The move could set a precedent for other European counties.
Federal Judge Rules Flock ALPR Data Constitutes Mass Surveillance
A judge ruled that warrantless searches of Flock license plate data amount to indiscriminate mass surveillance, throwing out evidence in a criminal case.
European Payment Providers Unite to Challenge US Tech Dominance
Five European payment platforms form the ENP network to enable cross-border payments and reduce reliance on US tech giants like Visa and Mastercard.
Redaction Error Exposes Google Data Center Water and Power Use
An improperly redacted document reveals Google Data Center water and electricity usage. The leak exposes the scale of resource consumption and raises transparency questions.
Connected Cars Collect Vast Amounts of Driver Data, Raising Privacy Concerns
Modern vehicles track location, behavior and biometrics. A new investigation reveals how automakers share this data with insurers, advertisers and law enforcement.
European Commission Staff Rebuke Sovereign Microsoft Teams Alternative
A new report reveals EU staff strongly dislike their sovereign alternative to Microsoft Teams, calling it 'absolute sh*t'. The backlash raises questions about digital sovereignty initiatives.