FEDERAL LEGISLATION UPDATE: Senate Commerce just voted to advance the Youth AI Privacy Act, a crucial bill that would establish federal privacy and safety protections for minors using AI chatbots. EPIC endorsed the Act when Markey introduced it and commends the Committee for advancing it.

Senate Commerce Committee Advances Youth AI Privacy Act

On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee voted to advance the Youth AI Privacy Act, a crucial piece of legislation that would establish federal privacy and safety protections for minors using AI…

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Ahead of tomorrow's Senate Commerce Committee markup, EPIC helped convene a coalition urging lawmakers to advance the Youth AI Privacy Act. We urge the Committee to advance this important bill; children's privacy must come before AI companies' profits. Read our coalition letter:

EPIC, Coalition Urge Senate Commerce Committee to Advance Youth AI Privacy Act

On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee will consider the Youth AI Privacy Act, important legislation that would establish federal privacy and safety protections for minors using AI chatbots.…

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EPIC applauds Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for signing the Children's Social Media Safety Act into law on Friday, marking a significant step forward in the fight to protect minors against harmful platform design, such as addictive feeds and overnight push notifications.

Illinois Governor Signs Age-Appropriate Design Code into Law

On Friday, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law the Children’s Social Media Safety Act, a significant piece of legislation that regulates harmful platform design for minors, such as addictive feeds…

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NEW LAWSUIT 🚨 Today, EPIC joined @mtrstates.bsky.social and @commoncause.org in challenging the Trump-Vance administration's unlawful attempt to share sensitive TANF recipient data with DHS. Families seeking assistance shouldn't have to fear their data will be weaponized.

PRESS RELEASE: Coalition Challenges Dramatic Data Privacy Changes to Federal Assistance Program

Washington, D.C. – A new legal challenge has been filed to the Trump-Vance administration’s effort to unlawfully and arbitrarily

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📬 Summer is flying by, and July's edition of The EPIC Alert is live! Our monthly newsletter is the best way to stay up to date on all things EPIC, from lawsuits to legislation. Didn't receive The Alert in your inbox this morning or not yet a subscriber? Take a look at this month's issue here:

EPIC Alert: Algorithmic unionbusting and a federal chatbot bill

EPIC and NIWR released a white paper on worker surveillance called Who’s Got the Power? Restoring Worker Power in the Age of Algorithmic Unionbusting.

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🚨 Last night, a federal court denied the government's motion to dismiss in EPIC v. OPM. The lawsuit challenging DOGE's access to sensitive personal data will move forward, marking an important step forward in a key case about privacy and government accountability.

PRESS RELEASE: Challenge to DOGE’s Unlawful Seizure of Payment System Data Advances

Washington, D.C. – In an order denying the Trump-Vance administration’s motion to dismiss in Electronic Privacy Information Center v. OPM,

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This week, EPIC Counsel @kara-williams.bsky.social spoke on a panel at the 2026 National Conference of State Legislatures Legislative Summit, joining state lawmakers and policymakers to discuss how key federal actions, emerging regulations, and funding programs affect state technology planning.

On Monday, EPIC and @cdt.org urged the FCC to reconsider a proposed rule that would mandate the government collection of more personal data from and about anyone who makes a phone call. While we support the FCC's mission to combat illegal robocalls and scam traffic, this strategy is misguided.

EPIC and CDT Urge FCC to Reconsider Invasive Know Your Customer Rulemaking Proposal

Updates

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As part of @nacchoalerts.bsky.social’s annual conference earlier this month, EPIC Senior Counsel @sarageoghegan.bsky.social spoke on a panel about health data surveillance and criminalization. Hosted by the Center for HIV Law and Policy, the discussion is available to watch here:

Center for HIV Law and Policy: What We Do Now: Data Privacy and Public Health in the Authoritarian Police State

PAST EVENT

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ICYMI: Last week, EPIC and @niwr.org released a white paper examining the rise of algorithmic unionbusting —a practice in which employers use workplace technology and worker data to identify, track, or interfere with organizing efforts—and what policymakers can do to combat it.

Who’s Got the Power? Restoring Worker Power in the Age of Algorithmic Unionbusting

EPIC and the National Institute for Workers’ Rights’ white paper, Who’s Got the Power? Restoring Worker Power in the Age of Algorithmic Unionbusting, examines how employers increasingly use…

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NEW LAWSUIT: EPIC and 3 individuals just filed a complaint alleging that DHS has adopted a secret policy to collect, maintain, and use personal information about people engaged in First Amendment-protected activity. 🧵

PRESS RELEASE: Privacy Rights Advocates Challenge Trump-Vance Administration's Secret Tracking of People Exercising their First Amendment Rights

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Privacy rights advocates and three individuals today filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump-Vance administration’s unlawful

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Yesterday, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed into law a ban on surveillance pricing for groceries, making NJ the third state to prohibit the unfair practice in certain sectors. The law also gives consumers a private right of action—the first in a surveillance pricing law.

NJ Governor Signs Grocery Surveillance Pricing Ban with Private Right of Action into Law

On Thursday, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed into law a ban on surveillance pricing for groceries. The Fair Price Protection Act makes New Jersey the third state to enact legislation…

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EPIC filed a FOIA request seeking answers about the USDA's secretive contracts with Palantir to build systems that will purportedly be used to detect alleged SNAP fraud. The public deserves to know how these systems work, what data they'll use, and how they could affect SNAP's millions of benefits.

EPIC Seeks Records on USDA’s Secretive Palantir Contracts Meant to Detect SNAP Fraud

EPIC filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request on Wednesday seeking records about the U.S. Department of Agriculture contracting with Palantir Technologies to identify and investigate alleged…

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We're thrilled that, as part of its "AI & Us" series, @dcpubliclibrary.bsky.social is hosting a conversation this Thursday featuring EPIC's 2022 report: Screened & Scored in D.C. Learn more, and reserve your spot here:

DC Public Library: AI and our privacy: Screened & Scored in DC

UPCOMING EVENT

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JUST RELEASED: Employers are increasingly using workplace surveillance, AI, and worker data not just to monitor productivity—but to undermine worker organizing. In a new white paper with the National Institute for Workers' Rights, EPIC examines the rise of algorithmic unionbusting. 🧵

Who’s Got the Power? Restoring Worker Power in the Age of Algorithmic Unionbusting

EPIC and the National Institute for Workers’ Rights’ white paper, Who’s Got the Power? Restoring Worker Power in the Age of Algorithmic Unionbusting, examines how employers increasingly use…

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Section 230 doesn't give app stores a free pass to profit from illegal activity. In a new amicus brief, EPIC urges the Ninth Circuit to reject the claim that app stores are immune from liability for selling illegal casino chips.

Section 230 Does Not Immunize App Stores for Selling Illegal Casino Chips, EPIC Tells 9th Circuit

On Friday, EPIC filed an amicus brief in three related cases before the Ninth Circuit, urging the Court not to use Section 230 to give app stores unprecedented immunity for brokering illegal…

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On Wednesday, EPIC once again urged the USDA to withdraw its proposal for a National SNAP Information Database, a centralized database that would unlawfully consolidate sensitive personal information about SNAP applicants and recipients nationwide.

EPIC Again Urges USDA to Abandon Proposed National SNAP Database That Threatens Privacy

On Wednesday, EPIC submitted comments urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to withdraw its revised System of Records Notice for the proposed National SNAP Information Database, a…

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Join EPIC Senior Counsel @sarageoghegan.bsky.social, @lgbttech.bsky.social and the Justice Education Project on Tuesday for a free webinar on LGBTQ+ data privacy in the age of inference.

LGBT Tech & the Justice Education Project: Data Privacy in an Age of Inference Webinar

UPCOMING EVENT

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EPIC and our co-plaintiffs in League of Women Voters v. DHS have asked a U.S. District Court to enforce its landmark judgment ordering the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system dismantled, after the Trump administration began restoring portions of the unlawful system.

PRESS RELEASE: Coalition Asks Federal Court to Enforce Landmark Ruling Blocking Unlawful SAVE System

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Plaintiffs in League of Women Voters v. DHS are asking the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia to enforce

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Join EPIC on Sept. 22 in D.C. for Champions of Freedom 2026, an evening featuring leading voices on privacy, civil liberties, and the growing convergence of Big Tech and government surveillance. Together, we'll explore what we can do to protect our future. 🎟️ Get your ticket today:

EPIC – Electronic Privacy Information Center

EPIC Champions of Freedom 2026 will be held on Tuesday, September 22, from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the True Reformer Building in Washington, D.C.

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EPIC, @consumerfed.bsky.social, and @fairplayforkids.bsky.social submitted comments on Monday in response to the CO Department of Law’s request for input from stakeholders ahead of potential rulemaking for the state’s recently passed bills on chatbot safety and ADMT in consequential decisions.

EPIC, CFA, Fairplay Submit Recommendations Ahead of Potential Rulemaking for Colorado Automated Decision-Making and Chatbot Laws

EPIC, the Consumer Federation of America, and Fairplay submitted comments on Monday in response to the Colorado Department of Law’s request for stakeholder input ahead of potential rulemaking for the…

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On Monday, EPIC submitted testimony to the D.C. Council Committee on Public Works & Operations urging councilmembers to further strengthen the proposed DC Government Data Privacy and Protection Act of 2026.

EPIC Urges D.C. Council to Strengthen Proposed Government Data Privacy and Protection Act

EPIC submitted testimony on Monday to the D.C. Council Committee on Public Works & Operations urging them to further strengthen B26-0670, the DC Government Data Privacy and Protection Act of 2026.

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On Wednesday, EPIC Senior Counsel and Director of the Consumer Privacy Program @sarageoghegan.bsky.social will join a @gwclt.bsky.social panel on the state and future of reproductive data privacy four years after the Dobbs decision. Learn more and RSVP to attend here:

GW Law Reproductive Data Privacy Initiative: States Fight Back Four Years Post-Dobbs

UPCOMING EVENT

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ICYMI: On Wednesday, a federal court rejected the Trump-Vance administration's request to pause a landmark ruling blocking its unlawful expansion of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, allowing the decision to remain in effect while the case proceeds.

PRESS RELEASE: Federal Court Rejects Trump-Vance Administration’s Bid to Pause Ruling Blocking Unlawful SAVE System

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal court has rejected the Trump-Vance administration's request to pause a landmark ruling

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🚨 @repcasar.bsky.social and I introduced the People-First Chatbot Act alongside 30+ groups including @epic.org, @consumerfed.bsky.social, @fairplayforkids.bsky.social and @alondra.bsky.social. AI chatbots are putting the lives and data of Americans at risk. We must take action.

Last night, federal lawmakers introduced the People-First Chatbot Act, a framework based on EPIC's model bill, which was crafted to make chatbots safer for everyone and address the harms caused by AI chatbots that were rushed into the public’s hands with little oversight or transparency.

PRESS RELEASE: EPIC Applauds Introduction of Privacy-Centered Federal Chatbot Bill

Updates

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This afternoon, the Massachusetts Senate passed the Protecting Children from Addictive Social Feeds Act, which provides kids important protections from harmful and invasive platform features. EPIC applauds MA Senators for committing to protecting kids online.

EPIC Applauds the Massachusetts Senate for Passing Platform Design Regulations

Updates

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Last week, EPIC joined @nwlc.org and 24 other gender justice and civil rights organizations to strenuously oppose a rule recently proposed by HUD that would roll back protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity for those staying in federally funded shelters and other housing.

EPIC Joins Coalition Against HUD’s Proposed Reductions of LGBTQ+ Protections in Equal Access Rule

On June 29, EPIC joined the National Women’s Law Center and 24 other gender justice and civil rights organizations in strenuously opposing an anti-transgender rule recently proposed by the U.S.…

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EPIC Senior Counsel and Director of the AI and Human Rights Program Calli Schroeder wrote a blog for the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue, where she serves on the steering committee, examining the risks that deregulation poses to consumers in the current debate over EU digital rules.

If EU digital rules are weakened, consumers will pay the price

Blogs

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Last week, EPIC commended the California Department of Justice on its proposed rules to implement the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act. The proposal aligns strongly with the privacy- and speech-protective principles for age assurance implementation that EPIC supports.

EPIC Commends California For Protecting User Privacy and Speech in Proposed Age Assurance Rules

Yesterday, EPIC filed comments in response to the California Department of Justice’s proposed rules to implement the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act (SB 976). EPIC commended…

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