Matthew Guariglia of EFF writes: Montana has done something that many states and the United States Congress have debated but failed to do: it has just enacted the first attempt to close the dreaded, invasive, unconstitutional, but easily fixed “data broker loophole.” This is a very good step in the right direction because right now,…
Author: Dissent
Privacy enforcement under Andrew Ferguson’s FTC
Since Andrew Ferguson assumed the role of FTC chair in January 2025, has the FTC shifted its approach to privacy enforcement at all? The Bradley law firm has published a few articles at Online and On Point focused on that question. In Part 1, “Staying in Our Lane”: Andrew Ferguson’s FTC Philosophy on Privacy Enforcement,…
“We would be less confidential than Google” – Proton threatens to quit Switzerland over new surveillance law
Chiara Castro reports: Proton confirms the company will leave Switzerland if new controversial surveillance rules pass. Switzerland is considering amending its surveillance law, with experts warning against the risk to secure encryption and online anonymity in the country. Specifically, the amendment could require all VPN services, messaging apps, and social networks to identify and retain user…
CFPB Quietly Kills Rule to Shield Americans From Data Brokers
Dell Cameron and Dhruv Mehrotra report: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has canceled plans to introduce new rules designed to limit the ability of US data brokers to sell sensitive information about Americans, including financial data, credit history, and Social Security numbers. The CFPB proposed the new rule in early December under former director Rohit Chopra, who…