The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) was established in 1994 to secure the fundamental right to privacy in the digital age. Find us at epic.org.https://bsky.app/profile/epic.orghttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mtu2n76tfq25This month, the 9th Circuit ruled against Meta in a case about harmful social media design and Section 230. The Court ruled that it didn’t have jurisdiction to hear Meta’s appeal and would have to wait until the case ends in the lower court. It’s a big win for plaintiffs and anyone suing big tech. 🧵24 Aug 2026 19:39 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtu2n76tfq25https://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mtlx6znfzb2aEPIC Deputy Director and Director of Enforcement John Davisson recently spoke with StateScoop about our newest lawsuit challenging the Trump‑Vance administration’s plan to expand federal access to sensitive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) data. https://statescoop.com/radio/tanf-expanded-federal-access-privacy/21 Aug 2026 14:16 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlx6znfzb2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mtjgitl6z22zNEW: EPIC and @consumerfed.bsky.social just published a plain-language guide to surveillance pricing: what it actually is, how it's different from dynamic pricing or price gouging, and 10+ real examples from Target, Uber, Delta, Staples, and more. 🧵20 Aug 2026 14:12 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjgitl6z22zhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mthc24hswk2sEPIC joined a coalition letter sent Wednesday urging Congress to close two loopholes that allow the federal government to access people’s personal data and private communications without a warrant: the backdoor search and data broker loopholes. Read the letter: https://epic.org/epic-coalition-urge-congressional-leaders-to-protect-americans-and-reform-fisa-section-702/.19 Aug 2026 17:47 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mthc24hswk2shttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mtes4hhlcr2hEPIC Champions of Freedom 2026 is coming up. Are you on the list? 🗓️ When: Tuesday, September 22 @ 5pm 📍 Where: The True Reformer Building in Washington, D.C. 🔒️ What: A night to honor those whose work has helped safeguard our fundamental right to privacy. 🎟️ RSVP here: https://epic.org/epic-champions-of-freedom-2026/18 Aug 2026 17:57 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtes4hhlcr2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mtclkfatmd2wLast week, CA’s AB 1709 moved to the Senate floor. EPIC worked alongside coalition partners The Attention Studio, Young People’s Alliance, Design It For Us, ParentsRise, and MAMA to shape a bill that targets social media’s addictive design. To protect kids online, we must regulate design. Read more: https://epic.org/to-protect-kids-online-dont-ban-them-from-social-media-regulate-design/17 Aug 2026 20:54 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtclkfatmd2whttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mt2bctohh32kA 13-year-old's phone was searched at school without a warrant and with a police officer standing right there. Evidence from the search was used to criminally charge the teen. The Fourth Circuit said this was fine. We think the Supreme Court should say otherwise. 🧵14 Aug 2026 13:30 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt2bctohh32khttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3msyhlxdujw2hOn Wednesday, EPIC submitted an amicus brief in Stein v. Edward-Elmhurst Health, arguing that health systems shouldn’t disclose information in a patient’s MyChart portal to Meta. https://epic.org/epic-urges-7th-circuit-to-uphold-wiretap-act-to-protect-private-communications-containing-sensitive-health-data/13 Aug 2026 20:17 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3msyhlxdujw2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3msvovxneoj2uLast week, EPIC, @cdt.org, @eff.org & @upturn.org submitted comments urging the General Services Administration to remove vague “unbiased AI” requirements from federal contracts. These standards are ill-defined and ripe for political abuse. https://epic.org/epic-coalition-urge-gsa-to-remove-unbiased-ai-requirements-from-federal-ai-contracts/12 Aug 2026 17:50 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3msvovxneoj2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mst573hp4s2nNew Jersey just made a major move to protect kids online 🎉 EPIC applauds Gov. Sherrill for signing the NJ Kids Code into law today, requiring platforms to put safety and privacy at the center of their product design. Young people shouldn’t have to sacrifice their privacy to participate online. https://eocampaign1.com/web-version?p=f535fe8e-95a5-11f1-b4ad-2186c7dd2a4e&pt=campaign&t=1786469196&s=67f5ab84ca61c28293d3690b718524a8ba16a33d0ac92df76df5a4e0a022007b11 Aug 2026 17:27 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mst573hp4s2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3msquxro44c2xTODAY at 5:30 p.m., EPIC Counsel Kara Williams will join the Attention Sphere at Temperance Alley Garden for a conversation about data privacy and how policy can be used to hold Big Tech accountable. https://epic.org/events/the-attention-sphere-holding-big-tech-accountable-tech-policy-101/10 Aug 2026 19:55 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3msquxro44c2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3msio3fwyrm2aLast week, EPIC joined a broad coalition of transparency advocates led by @freedom.press to oppose the DoD’s proposal to exempt controlled unclassified information from the Freedom of Information Act. Congress must defend transparency by stopping this blatant attempt to keep the public in the dark. https://epic.org/epic-coalition-urge-congress-to-reject-defense-departments-attempt-to-withhold-information-from-foia/?message=pantheon-cleared-url-cache07 Aug 2026 13:30 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3msio3fwyrm2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3msgql773mc2mHuge news in tech accountability: a judge today rejected TikTok, Meta, and Google’s argument that using surveillance data to behaviorally profile minors is First Amendment-protected speech. As a result, California’s SB 976 lives to regulate feeds another day. https://epic.org/judges-sides-with-epic-and-ag-telling-google-tiktok-and-meta-their-addictive-social-media-features-are-not-1a-speech/06 Aug 2026 19:09 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3msgql773mc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3msg5lz2evf2nLast week, EPIC submitted comments urging the FTC to rescind its recent policy statement on AI regulations, which falsely suggests that companies could violate federal consumer protection law by complying with state AI laws. https://epic.org/epic-urges-ftc-to-abandon-misleading-guidance-suggesting-consumer-protection-laws-preempt-state-ai-regulations/06 Aug 2026 13:30 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3msg5lz2evf2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3msdupnluin2aFEDERAL 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. https://epic.org/senate-commerce-committee-advances-youth-ai-privacy-act/05 Aug 2026 15:46 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3msdupnluin2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3msbig22xkb2cAhead 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: https://epic.org/epic-coalition-urge-senate-commerce-committee-to-advance-youth-ai-privacy-act/04 Aug 2026 17:00 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3msbig22xkb2chttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3ms7gz64efm2uEPIC 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. https://epic.org/illinois-governor-signs-age-appropriate-design-code-into-law/03 Aug 2026 21:30 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms7gz64efm2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3ms7cigdoqw2uNEW 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. https://eocampaign1.com/web-version?p=f1f1923a-8f72-11f1-9867-13b9e0a7cf0b&pt=campaign&t=1785787454&s=1e40ae48ad5bb03c032c67cc1c15e8211802eeca8b3fdab1be8444dc12611b5903 Aug 2026 20:09 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms7cigdoqw2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mrx2so34ew2n📬 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: https://eocampaign1.com/web-version?p=545ddc7a-8c2c-11f1-bb68-891dbf6575ed&pt=campaign&t=1785441966&s=67fcfd69f8ea7ff4835b8b6480b6f9badbe01ee1e7de69c02a14fb7246166af731 Jul 2026 13:30 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrx2so34ew2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mruqx6c75c2u🚨 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. https://eocampaign1.com/web-version?p=769d405e-8c23-11f1-8879-43435b281d3e&pt=campaign&t=1785422847&s=fc5162f98f3a18e9eeb9270e9443e1488e5aad8c6816c7bd6d8574c1e2a9d9c330 Jul 2026 15:28 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mruqx6c75c2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mruk55vsdv2zThis 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.30 Jul 2026 13:26 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mruk55vsdv2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mrs2t3jfvg23On 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. https://epic.org/epic-and-cdt-urge-fcc-to-reconsider-invasive-know-your-customer-rulemaking-proposal/29 Jul 2026 13:47 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrs2t3jfvg23https://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mrq7uvuutg23As 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: https://epic.org/events/center-for-hiv-law-and-policy-what-we-do-now-data-privacy-and-public-health-in-the-authoritarian-police-state/28 Jul 2026 20:12 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrq7uvuutg23https://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mrnfswygfx24ICYMI: 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. https://epic.org/whos-got-the-power/27 Jul 2026 17:20 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrnfswygfx24https://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mrfxaoz2uv2uNEW 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. 🧵 https://eocampaign1.com/web-version?p=caa4987a-876c-11f1-9aad-e7ba84788eba&pt=campaign&t=1784916050&s=13e7e131e9e866853db7ecc2b5e95163f589762fd2dbfc649a38c75fcb731a5224 Jul 2026 18:11 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrfxaoz2uv2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mrfkz25nlu2jYesterday, 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. https://epic.org/nj-governor-signs-grocery-surveillance-pricing-ban-with-private-right-of-action-into-law/24 Jul 2026 14:32 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrfkz25nlu2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mrcx3kkgt423EPIC 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. https://epic.org/epic-seeks-records-on-usdas-secretive-palantir-contracts-meant-to-detect-snap-fraud/23 Jul 2026 13:30 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrcx3kkgt423https://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mralcel6s32uWe'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: https://epic.org/events/dc-public-library-ai-and-our-privacy-screened-scored-in-dc/22 Jul 2026 14:54 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mralcel6s32uhttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mr5w4s5frl2gJUST 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. 🧵 https://epic.org/whos-got-the-power/21 Jul 2026 13:30 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr5w4s5frl2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/epic.org/post/3mr4aopjc6n2tSection 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. https://epic.org/section-230-does-not-immunize-app-stores-for-selling-illegal-casino-chips-epic-tells-9th-circuit/20 Jul 2026 21:33 +0000at://did:plc:gl3pjb7agaddlrpjiful53c3/app.bsky.feed.post/3mr4aopjc6n2t