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
Mapping the Deadly Gap in Border Surveillance Technology
A 15-month investigation produced the first comprehensive map of migrant deaths near US border surveillance towers, revealing technology failures. The data shows deaths persist despite billions spent on the 'virtual wall.'
Laptop Fire on American Airlines Flight Raises Safety and Insurance Stakes
A laptop fire aboard an American Airlines flight injured passengers and closed a runway, sparking concerns over stricter battery rules and rising insurance premiums.
US Drone Tariffs Target Chinese Supply Chain Dominance With Ally Exemptions
New US tariffs impose up to 100% on Chinese drone imports while exempting allies. The move aims to weaken DJI's 80% market share and build domestic production, but industry experts warn affordable alternatives will take years to scale.
Albanian Protesters Face Instagram Account Suspensions Under Meta’s Copyright System
Mass Instagram account suspensions target Albanian anti-government protesters, raising concerns that Meta’s automated copyright enforcement is being weaponized to suppress dissent during the Flamingo Revolution.
Spain Orders ISPs to Block Archive.today and Mirror Sites
Spanish authorities have ordered internet providers to block Archive.today and its mirrors, tightening controls over web archives.
Why Teen Social Media Bans Miss the Point on Youth Mental Health
Critics argue that banning teens from social media fails to address the real issues. A more effective approach focuses on education and platform accountability.
AI Training Data Threatens the Creative Commons System
AI models training on Creative Commons content spark debate over licensing erosion and the future of open collaboration.
Meta’s Muse App Raises New Privacy Concerns With Aggressive Data Collection
Meta’s journaling app The Muse prompts users to share bank accounts and passports while auto-enrolling them in AI training. Privacy experts say surveillance outweighs utility.
San Mateo County Votes to Fee Businesses Replacing Workers With Robots
San Mateo County approved a first-of-its-kind permit fee for businesses that replace workers with AI-powered robots, aiming to fund job transition programs.
Robotaxi Sex Debate Sparks Academic Push for Clear Rules
Academics are formally calling for regulations to prevent sexual activity in driverless taxis, citing legal and ethical gaps as robotaxis hit city streets.
FCC Bans Foreign-Made Consumer Routers and Mobile Hotspots
The FCC has banned new imports of consumer Wi-Fi routers and mobile hotspots manufactured abroad, citing national security risks.
Microsoft Exec Warned AI Scraping Was 'Largest Theft of Labor' in Internal Documents
Unsealed court documents show a Microsoft director called AI training data scraping unprecedented theft, undermining the company's fair use defense.
Flock Buyout Program Signals Troubles for License Plate Reader Market
Flock is offering employee buyouts as dozens of cities drop its license plate readers over privacy concerns, signaling deepening trouble for the firm.
Felony Counts Dropped in Flock Camera Destruction Case
Evan Meyer faced three felony counts for destroying a Flock camera. Charges reduced to misdemeanors after camera turned out to be fake. Case highlights tensions over surveillance tech.
Iran Conflict Permanently Cripples Amazon AWS Facilities in the Middle East
Amazon confirms that US-Iran hostilities have rendered some AWS infrastructure in the Middle East inoperable indefinitely.
Google Escapes Ad Tech Breakup Despite Antitrust Ruling
A judge found Google violated antitrust law in ad tech but refused to order a breakup, opting for interoperability changes instead.
Facial Recognition Error Sparks $10 Million Lawsuit Against Fargo
A grandmother jailed for six months after a faulty facial recognition match is suing Fargo and a detective for $10 million.
Engineering Challenges Reshape US Strategic Petroleum Reserve
The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve's underground salt caverns face growing engineering and maintenance issues, spurring debate over long-term energy storage strategy.
How Self-Driving Cars Are Rewriting the Rules of Crash Safety
Autonomous vehicles allow passengers to recline, altering injury dynamics. Regulators face pressure to overhaul decades-old crash test standards.