Privacy Daily is providing readers with the top stories from last week, in case you missed them. All articles can be found by searching the title or clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.
AI Privacy
AI privacy concerns are growing as copyrighted works and personal data are used to train, optimize and operate machine learning systems. From facial recognition to inference risks, AI applications often test the limits of existing privacy laws. Regulators worldwide are developing safeguards to govern data use, bias, transparency and consent in AI development. This page tracks legislation, regulatory frameworks and enforcement actions at the intersection of AI and data protection.
Republicans need to be outspoken against federal efforts to block state AI laws because the issue isn’t going to “blow over,” Ohio Sen. Louis Blessing (R) said in a recent interview.
The FTC on Wednesday vacated a 2024 agency order against an AI writing assistant platform, saying it “unduly burdens” AI in violation of President Donald Trump’s AI Action Plan.
New York state will require warning labels on social networks detailing their mental health risks. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) late Friday signed S-4505, which passed the legislature in June (see 2506180004).
Instacart said Monday it will immediately end what it called price testing following a Consumer Reports (CR) study that the organization said proved it used personal data to set its online grocery prices. However, Instacart also denied its "pricing tests" included surveillance pricing or dynamic pricing, "and were never based on supply or demand, personal data, demographics, or individual shopping behavior.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) on Friday evening signed comprehensive AI legislation with chapter amendments she negotiated with bill sponsors, as expected (see 2512190016, 2511170054 and 2512100008).
Friday night’s veto of a New York health data privacy bill might not be the end of the story. S-929 sponsor Sen. Liz Krueger (D) “is planning to reintroduce this bill or something similar next session,” a spokesperson told Privacy Daily on Monday. In addition, the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) plans to work with S-929's sponsors to “try again next year,” Allie Bohm, senior policy counsel, emailed us.
The White House's executive order barring state regulation of AI (see 2512110068) isn't likely to stop states, Goodwin AI and data lawyers wrote last week. The order directs federal agencies to condition access to discretionary grants on a state's commitment not to enforce "onerous" AI laws, but it gives scant guidance on which state laws are onerous and conflict with the administration's policy principles, the lawyers argued.
The House Commerce Committee plans to take “action” on comprehensive privacy legislation after considering kid bills this spring, a committee staffer said in a statement Friday.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) vetoed a controversial state health data privacy bill (S-929) on Friday, an aide to Assembly sponsor Linda Rosenthal (D) told us.