In this week's Privacy Tracker legislative roundup, read about the European Commission's proposal for an updated ePrivacy law, plus indications that it's moving away from any efforts toward data localization. Switzerland and the U.S. have reached agreement on a data transfer regime similar to the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield and the EU is close to finalizing a data transfer agreement with Japan and South Korea. Chile's Senate is expected to look at a new data privacy law in the next month. And, in the U.S., the Email Privacy Act has been reintroduced at the federal level, and state legislatures from California to New York are looking at everything from drone privacy to constitutional amendments.
LATEST NEWS
Chile’s legislature is expected to see a new data protection bill prior to its annual recess in February, reports Hunton & Williams’ Privacy and Information Security Law Blog.
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The National Law Review reports that Illinois, Nebraska and Nevada have all updated their definitions of personal information to include usernames and email addresses.
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California state Sen. Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) has proposed a bill that would require local law enforcement agencies that use surveillance technology to submit a plan to local officials for how they use the technology and the information it collects, reports the Los Angeles Times.
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Illinois has a new workplace privacy law (reported on in our last roundup) and a law preventing cell-site simulators in some instances, reports Riverbender.com
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Montana lawmakers are considering a four privacy related bills dealing with license-plate scanners, roadblocks and accessing electronic communications and devices, reports KTVQ.
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A Nebraska bill aims to restrict the use and retention of data collected by automated license plate readers, reports The Tenther.
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The New Mexico Senate is considering an electronic privacy bill that would ban the use of “stingrays” and restrict the collection of cell phone data without a warrant in most cirumstances, reports The Tenther.
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A New York Taxi and Limousine Commission proposal would require cabs and ride hailing service providers to hand over more information on riders and drivers.
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The Washington state legislature is debating regulations for drones outfitted with cameras, reports GeekWire.
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Two Washington state representatives are drafting reforms to the state’s Public Records Act, reports HeraldNet.
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Wyoming will consider a constitutional amendment that would guarantee a right to privacy for residents, reports Northern Wyoming Daily News.
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Wyoming’s Senate Education Committee voted to move forward a student online privacy bill, reports Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
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ICYMI
The next major privacy framework in the EU took a step forward last week with the formal proposal by the European Commission of the highly anticipated ePrivacy Regulation. Jennifer Baker reports from Brussels, Belgium, in this exclusive for Privacy Tracker.
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Privacy Tracker rounded up legislative expectations from 26 countries and regions spanning Argentina to Zimbabwe.
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The European Commission released an official communication laying out its concerns and ideas about strengthening the digital economy, including looking into an end to data localization. In this exclusive for The Privacy Advisor, Jennifer Baker, reporting from Brussels, looks into the discussion and a new consultation launched by the Commission.
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The Turkey's law on the protection of personal data came into force April 7, 2016. Ozan Karaduman of Gün + Partners writes for Privacy Tracker about the law.
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The U.S. administration may be turning over this month but the Office of Management and Budget released both guidance on how government agencies must prepare-for and respond-to data breaches as well as how to comply with the Privacy Act in these modern times. Angelique Carson, CIPP/US talked to OMB Senior Privacy Advisor Marc Groman, CIPP/US, about the policies for The Privacy Advisor.
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US
Rep. Kevin Yoder, R-Kan., reintroduced the Email Privacy Act, which will go through the Judiciary Committee before moving once again to the House of Representatives, Morning Consult reports.
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The United States and Switzerland have approved a data exchange pact similar to the Privacy Shield agreement between the U.S. and the European Union, Reuters reports.
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Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez will resign Feb. 10, according to an FTC press release.
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The Obama administration has given the National Security Agency expanded power to share globally intercepted personal communications with the other 16 government agencies before any privacy protections are implemented, The New York Times reports.
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NPR reports President-elect Donald Trump has tagged former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to share advise him on cybersecurity issues. Giuliani will lead a team of cybersecurity professionals from the private sector.
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Oakland, California's Privacy Advisory Commission has unanimously passed its “Surveillance and Community Safety Ordinance," thus transferring it to the Oakland City Council for consideration in a move hailed by privacy advocates, Ars Technica reports.
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The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation has made its Data Breach Notification Archive publicly available after revisions to the state's Public Records Law required the change, HealthITSecurity reports.
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ASIA PACIFIC
The European Union is hoping to finalize data transfer agreements with Japan and South Korea to enhance business ties, with plans to work on removing barriers to the free flow of data in the area, Reuters reports.
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CANADA
Yukon Information and Privacy Commissioner Diane McLeod-McKay expressed her concern about the territory’s plan to create a central database to hold all the personal data of its citizens, CBC News reports.
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EUROPE
In a proposed reform of Europe's privacy law, the European Commission has said that websites' detection of ad blockers is legal, Financial Times reports.
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A new employment law means French companies must guarantee their employees do not need to check their emails after hours, the Guardian reports.
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