U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) speaks to reporters before a Senate luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on December 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) FISA reauthorization heads to Biden’s desk after Senate passage A two-year extension of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act clears the chamber in a 60-34 vote Saturday. Apr 20, 2024 By Tim Starks
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, presided over a hearing of the Weaponization of the Federal Government Subcommittee in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Feb. 09. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) White House faces deeply skeptical Congress as it advocates for controversial surveillance tool Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expires in December, is in perhaps its most precarious position yet. Feb 28, 2023 By Tonya Riley
Example of a fingerprint scanner. States are looking to put guardrails around the unchecked collection of biometric data. (Getty Images) Illinois’ biometric privacy law provides blueprint as states seek to curb data collection An estimated 17 pieces of privacy legislation backed by both Democrats and Republicans are pending across the country. Feb 28, 2023 By Tonya Riley
The Supreme court will decide whether to take on the case in which Wikimedia challenges an NSA surveillance program. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images) Wikimedia wants the Supreme Court to hear case over NSA surveillance. Here’s what’s at stake. The case over the National Security Agency's digital monitoring activities could have major implications for the future of government spying. Feb 17, 2023 By Tonya Riley
Getty Images Clearview AI agrees to not sell its facial recognition database to private companies The landmark ruling also stops free trials to police without approval. May 9, 2022 By Tonya Riley
(Getty Images) Documents shed light on ID.me’s messaging to states about powerful facial recognition tech Privacy groups are pushing states to drop the technology provider. Feb 18, 2022 By Tonya Riley
Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images Rights groups ask Supreme Court to review warrantless searches at border The issue has long been a concern for civil liberties groups and press advocates. Apr 23, 2021 By Sean Lyngaas
(U.S. Customs and Border Protection / Flickr) Warrantless searches of devices at border allowed, appeals court finds Privacy advocates are denouncing the ruling. Feb 11, 2021 By Shannon Vavra
(ACLU of Southern California) ACLU sues FBI for information about its encryption-cracking skills The civil liberties group wants the feds to come clean about the capabilities of the Electronic Device Analysis Unit (EDAU). Dec 23, 2020 By Joe Warminsky
(Getty Images) Lame-duck versions of TikTok and WeChat are definitely a problem, security experts say The Trump administration's restrictions on Americans' abilities to update Chinese-owned TikTok and WeChat could degrade user security further, experts say. Sep 18, 2020 By Shannon Vavra