Category «Federal Legislative Research»

Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, August 9, 2025

Privacy and cybersecurity issues impact every aspect of our lives – home, work, travel, education, finance, health and medical records – to name but a few. On a weekly basis Pete Weiss highlights articles and information that focus on the increasingly complex and wide ranging ways technology is used to compromise and diminish our privacy and online security, often without our situational awareness. Five highlights from this week: States Have More Data About You Than the Feds Do. Trump Wants to See It; Instagram Map lets your friends, and possibly exes, track your every move; Samsung phones can detect AI voice phishing attacks with One UI 8; Uber Gets Report of Sexual Misconduct Every 8 Minutes; and Home Depot and Lowe’s Share Data From Hundreds of AI Cameras With Cops.

Subjects: AI, Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, Email Security, Federal Legislative Research, Legal Research, Privacy, Search Engines

The Trump Administration’s Continued War Against Science, Research and Public Health

Sabrina I. Pacifici’s overview of selected articles highlights the devastating impact of the Trump administration’s dismantling of agencies across the federal government, with a focus on cancelling critical scientific and health related research grants, as reported in July, 2025. The total cancellation of funds is escalating as grant suspensions are ongoing, but it is in the billions of dollars. Unilateral, sweeping and rapid actions are targeting a wide range of projects, programs, education and funding for research on critical health issues including: Alzheimers’, cancer, the climate crisis, weather and forecasting, vaccines, HIV, infectious diseases, food and drug safety, fossil fuels, air and water pollution.

Subjects: Climate Change, Education, Energy, Federal Legislative Research, Freedom of Information, Government Resources, Healthcare, KM

What the Supreme Court ruling against ‘universal injunctions’ means for court challenges to presidential actions

When presidents have tried to make big changes through executive orders, they have often hit a roadblock: A single federal judge, whether located in Seattle or Miami or anywhere in between, could stop these policies across the entire country. But on June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court significantly limited this judicial power. In Trump v. CASA Inc., a 6-3 majority ruled that federal courts likely lack the authority to issue “universal injunctions” that block government policies nationwide. Professor Cassandra Burke Robertson explains how the ruling means that going forward federal judges can generally only block policies from being enforced against the specific plaintiffs who filed the lawsuit, not against everyone in the country.

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Federal Legislative Research, Legal Research

Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, November 23, 2024

Privacy and cybersecurity issues impact every aspect of our lives – home, work, travel, education, finance, health and medical records – to name but a few. On a weekly basis Pete Weiss highlights articles and information that focus on the increasingly complex and wide ranging ways technology is used to compromise and diminish our privacy and online security, often without our situational awareness. Five highlights from this week: Thieves are using Google Maps to target homes; Microsoft’s anti competitive behavior weakens its customers’ cybersecurity; How and where to report cybercrime: What you need to know; Legislation introduced to address foreign supply chain threats; Use These 4 Apps and Tools to Detect Phishing Emails

Subjects: Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, Email Security, Federal Legislative Research, Privacy

Why does the Senate confirm Trump’s picks for key posts — and how?

Legal scholar Jennifer L. Selin explains the confirmation process and the ‘constitutional loophole’ of recess appointments.

Subjects: Congress, Federal Legislative Research, Legal Research, United States Law

Protecting the Vulnerable: Navigating Online Risks for Minors

Veronica Garrick’s paper is an insightful, factual and timely discussion of how in today’s digital age, minors are exposed to technology at a young age, presenting both great opportunities and risks. Online risks include data privacy breaches, access to inappropriate, cyberbullying, and online child predators. These challenges can have negative long-lasting effects, including privacy, mental, emotional, and physical safety. Addressing these risks associated with increased technology among minors requires a collaborative effort across many sectors. If communities, government, law enforcement, online platforms, and tech companies work together, they can minimize these risks. Once they start prioritizing online safety and implementing new safeguards, children can explore the digital world securely and safely.

Subjects: Congress, Cybercrime, Cyberlaw, Cybersecurity, Federal Legislative Research, Government Resources, Legal Research, Privacy, United States Law

Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, February 17, 2024

Privacy and cybersecurity issues impact every aspect of our lives – home, work, travel, education, finance, health and medical records – to name but a few. On a weekly basis Pete Weiss highlights articles and information that focus on the increasingly complex and wide ranging ways technology is used to compromise and diminish our privacy and online security, often without our situational awareness. Four highlights from this week: Inside the Underground Site Where ‘Neural Networks’ Churn Out Fake IDs; 5 Steps to Improve Your Security Posture in Microsoft Teams; Drone surveillance case in Michigan Supreme Court tests privacy rights; and ‘AI Washing’ Is a Risk Amid Wall Street’s Craze, SEC Chief Gesler Says.

Subjects: AI, Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, Email Security, Federal Legislative Research, Financial System, Firewalls, Healthcare, Legal Research, Privacy, Social Media, Spyware

A new US data privacy bill aims to give you more control over information collected about you – and make businesses change how they handle data

With rare bipartisan support, the American Data and Privacy Protection Act moved out of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce by a vote of 53-2 on July 20, 2022. The bill still needs to pass the full House and the Senate, and negotiations are ongoing. Given the Biden administration’s responsible data practices strategy, White House support is likely if a version of the bill passes. Legal scholar and attorney Professor Anne Toomey McKenna, who studies and practices technology and data privacy law, has been closely following the act, known as ADPPA. McKenna contends that if passed this legislation will fundamentally alter U.S. data privacy law.

Subjects: Congress, Cyberlaw, Cyberlaw Legislation, Cybersecurity, Federal Legislative Research, Legal Research, Legislative, Privacy, United States Law