23andMe Data Breach Settlement Approved: $46.75 Million Final Order Explained
A bankruptcy judge approved the $46.75M 23andMe data breach settlement on July 6, 2026. Here is what the payout tiers mean and how distribution works.
6 min read
Privacy Laws
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23andMe Pays $18 Million to 42 State Attorneys General Over Its Genetic Data Breach
A coalition of 42 state attorneys general secured an $18 million settlement with 23andMe over its 2023 genetic data breach. The money goes to the states, not a new consumer payout.
5 min read
47 U.S.C. § 227 (TCPA) Explained: Robocalls & Texts
Plain-English guide to 47 U.S.C. § 227, the TCPA: what robocall, text, and fax rules require, the autodialer definition after Duguid, and lawsuit damages.
15 min read
ACLU Sues Concord NH Housing Authority Over In-Unit Sensors
ACLU sues a NH housing authority over sensors installed in roughly 300 public housing units. What the newly filed complaint alleges and what state law says.
13 min read
Alabama Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Alabama surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
11 min read
Alaska Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Alaska surveillance camera laws for homes, workplaces, nanny cams, and neighbor disputes. Covers AS 11.61.123 voyeurism and AS 42.20.310 audio recording rules.
13 min read
Amazon Ring Sued Over "Familiar Faces" Facial Recognition (2026)
A Virginia man's June 2026 class action (No. 2:26-cv-01887, W.D. Wash.) alleges Amazon Ring's Familiar Faces feature scans biometric faceprints of non-users without consent.
5 min read
Anonymous Payment Methods: Can you pay someone incognito?
Cash and prepaid gift cards are the most anonymous ways to pay someone. See how PayPal, Cash App, crypto, and masked cards compare on privacy and legal risk.
15 min read
Arizona Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Arizona surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
14 min read
Arkansas Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Arkansas surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
12 min read
Biometric Privacy Laws by State (2026): BIPA, CUBI & Consent
Biometric privacy laws by state. Which states have biometric data laws like Illinois BIPA, Texas CUBI, and Washington, plus consent rules and your rights.
6 min read
BIPA Compliance for Employers (2026): Step-by-Step
BIPA compliance for employers using fingerprint or face-scan timeclocks: the seven Section 15 steps, plus a free self-check tool. Avoid the most common violations.
4 min read
BIPA Damages: What a Violation Is Worth (2026)
BIPA damages explained: the $1,000 and $5,000 statutory amounts, why the 2024 amendment ended per-scan math, and what people actually receive in settlements.
3 min read
BIPA Explained: Illinois Biometric Privacy Act (740 ILCS 14)
BIPA, the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (740 ILCS 14), explained: consent rules, the $1,000 to $5,000 penalties, key cases, and the 2024 amendment.
5 min read
BIPA Statute of Limitations: The 5-Year Deadline (2026)
The BIPA statute of limitations is five years for all claims, settled by Tims v. Black Horse Carriers (2023). How the deadline works and when the clock starts.
2 min read
California AB 1709 Bars Addictive Features for Users Under 16
California AB 1709, approved September 10, 2026 and chaptered as Chapter 183, bars addictive features for California users under 16 starting January 1, 2027.
17 min read
California Court Splits on Hospital Tracking Pixel Class Ruling
Doe v. Adventist Health System/West, published August 24, 2026, affirms part and reverses part of a CIPA and CMIA class certification denial.
15 min read
California Pixel-Wiretap Rulings Split the Same Week: Blue Shield Claim Dismissed, BlueChew Claims Advance
Two N.D. Cal. rulings in July 2026 split on website tracking-pixel wiretap claims: the federal Wiretap Act claim against Blue Shield was dismissed with leave to amend, while state wiretap claims against Google and Meta over BlueChew trackers advanced.
7 min read
California SB 1247: The Sharenting Bill That Lets Kids Delete Their Parents' Content
California SB 1247 lets children featured in monetized content demand deletion at 18. $3,000/day fines for non-compliant parents. Hearing April 6, 2026.
7 min read
California Sues 23andMe's Successor Over Genetic Data Breach (2026)
California AG Rob Bonta sued Chrome Holding Co. (formerly 23andMe) on May 28, 2026 over the 2023 genetic data breach affecting nearly 7 million people, invoking GIPA and the CCPA.
4 min read
California Surveillance Camera Laws: Complete 2026 Guide
California surveillance camera laws explained. Learn rules for home security cameras, hidden cameras, audio recording consent, workplace surveillance, and penalties.
13 min read
Capital Health $4.5M Data Breach Settlement Gets Final Approval; Payments Next
A federal judge granted final approval on July 14, 2026 to the $4.5M Capital Health data breach settlement. The claim window closed April 6, 2026; approved payments follow after appeals.
5 min read
Children's Online Privacy Laws by State (2026)
State-by-state guide to children's online privacy laws beyond COPPA, covering California AADC, Utah SB 152, Texas HB 18, Florida HB 3, and age verification requirements.
9 min read
Colorado Signs Device-Level Age-Check Law (SB26-051)
Colorado Gov. Polis signed SB26-051 on June 3, 2026, moving online age checks to the device operating system. It takes effect January 1, 2028.
5 min read
Colorado Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Colorado surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
13 min read
Connecticut Requires Facial-Recognition Signs (PA 26-64)
Connecticut's Public Act 26-64, signed May 27, 2026, requires facial-recognition entrance signs and limits license-plate-reader data. Here is what it does.
7 min read
Connecticut Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Connecticut surveillance camera laws explained: workplace notice requirements (CGS 31-48d), audio consent rules, voyeurism penalties, and home camera guidelines.
11 min read
COPPA Compliance Guide: Children's Online Privacy Protection (2026)
Complete guide to COPPA compliance: parental consent requirements, FTC enforcement actions, safe harbor programs, penalties up to $50,120 per violation, and pending legislation.
11 min read
Dashboard Camera Legality and Privacy Laws: Is It Illegal to Use Dashcams in North America?
It is not illegal to use dashcams in the US and Canada. State and provincial laws determine where you can mount one and who may use the footage.
11 min read
DEFIANCE Act: Deepfake Porn Victims Can Sue for $150K+
Deepfake porn victims can now sue creators under the DEFIANCE Act for $150,000+ per violation. Senate passed S.1837 unanimously January 2026; House vote pending.
7 min read
Delaware Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Delaware surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
11 min read
District of Columbia Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
District of Columbia surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
15 min read
Do You Have a BIPA Claim? Check Your Eligibility (2026)
Do you have a BIPA claim? Use our free checker. You may qualify if a private company in Illinois scanned your fingerprint or face without written consent.
2 min read
Don't Steal This Book: 10,000 Authors Publish Empty Novel to Protest AI Copyright Theft
Nearly 10,000 authors published an empty book protesting AI copyright theft. Plus: the $3B+ Anthropic lawsuit and UK copyright reversal.
7 min read
Employer Guide to Wearable Recording Device Policies (2026)
How employers can create lawful wearable recording device policies. NLRB compliance, BIPA, ADA accommodations, state monitoring laws, and policy templates for smart glasses and AI recorders.
1 min read
Facial Recognition Laws: Police Use & State Rules (2026)
Facial recognition laws for US police and government use: the federal gap, state rules from Virginia to Maine, and a state and city restriction tracker.
17 min read
Federal Judge Blocks Nebraska's Social Media Age-Verification Law on First Amendment Grounds
A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction on June 27, 2026 blocking Nebraska's LB 383 social media age-verification and parental-consent mandates on First Amendment grounds.
8 min read
Federal Judge Upholds New York's Social Media Disclosure Law
A federal district court dismissed X Corp.'s challenge to New York's social media disclosure law, finding it survives First Amendment and Section 230 review.
9 min read
FISA Section 702 Lapses for the First Time After House Vote (2026)
FISA Section 702 lapsed June 12, 2026 after the House rejected an extension 198 to 218. Why warrantless surveillance continues anyway, and what 50 U.S.C. 1881a does.
8 min read
Florida Man Sues Police Over Facial Recognition Arrest (2026)
The ACLU alleges Florida police wrongly arrested Robert Dillon on a 93% facial recognition match. What the June 2026 lawsuit claims and what the law requires.
7 min read
Florida Sues TikTok Under HB3 Social Media Minors Law (2026)
Florida AG James Uthmeier sued TikTok on June 15, 2026 under HB3, Florida's social media minors law, seeking a public-nuisance ruling and per-violation penalties.
7 min read
Florida Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Florida surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
13 min read
FTC Finalizes Order Against Illuminate Over Student Data Breach (2026)
On June 5, 2026, the FTC finalized a consent order against ed-tech firm Illuminate Education over a breach exposing 10.1 million students data, mandating deletion and security but no fine.
4 min read
FTC Seeks Comment on X's Bid to End the Twitter Privacy Order (2026)
On June 4, 2026, the FTC opened public comment on X Corp.'s petition to set aside the 2022 Twitter privacy order tied to a $150 million penalty. Comments are due July 2, 2026.
6 min read
FTC Sues Hims & Hers Over Billing, Cancellations, and Data Sharing
The FTC, Utah, and LA County sued Hims & Hers on July 29, 2026, alleging deceptive billing, buried cancellations, and health data shared with Meta and Snap.
7 min read
Georgia Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Georgia surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
11 min read
Hawaii Surveillance Camera Laws: Complete 2026 Guide
Hawaii surveillance camera laws explained: home security, workplace cameras, hidden cameras, audio recording rules under HRS 803-42, and penalties.
14 min read
HOA Security Camera Rules: Can They Make You Remove It?
HOA security camera rules explained. Can an HOA make you remove a camera or video doorbell? Learn your rights, state protections, and common-area limits.
5 min read
How to Detect and Block Listening Devices in Your Home (2026)
How to detect listening devices with an RF detector, block them legally with white noise, and what US law lets you do if you find a bug in your home.
11 min read
Idaho Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Idaho surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
13 min read
Illinois Enacts Social Media Age-Assurance Law (HB 5511)
Gov. Pritzker signed Illinois HB 5511 into law July 31, 2026 as Public Act 104-0664, using device-level age checks and default protections for minors.
5 min read
Illinois Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Illinois surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
13 min read
Indian Man Arrested for AI Deepfake Images of Ex-Girlfriend
Man arrested in Assam, India for using AI tools to create explicit deepfake images of his ex-girlfriend and selling access online. Indian deepfake laws explained.
6 min read
Indiana Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Learn Indiana surveillance camera laws for 2026, including home security cameras, workplace monitoring, voyeurism penalties under IC 35-45-4-5, and audio recording consent rules.
13 min read
Iowa Age-Verification Law (HF 864) Takes Effect July 1, 2026
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 864 on June 1, 2026, requiring adult sites to verify users' ages from July 1 and barring verifiers from keeping the ID data.
5 min read
Iowa Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Iowa surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
13 min read
Is It Illegal to Video Record Someone Without Their Consent? (2026)
Video recording laws have three layers: federal voyeurism statutes, state voyeurism + audio-consent rules, and civil torts. The answer depends on location, audio capture, and whether the subject had a reasonable expectation of privacy.
21 min read
Is My Phone Listening to Me?
Worried your phone is secretly listening for ads? Learn what really causes it, what courts and regulators found, and how to limit microphone access.
14 min read
Kansas Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Kansas surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
12 min read
Kentucky Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Kentucky surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
13 min read