REGULATORY WATCH

Privacy, AI governance and data protection developments across the US and the EU, from regulators, legislatures and courts.

⚖️ Latest developments 🌐 Jurisdictions 📚 Law library
159
Last 30 days
24
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30
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72
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307 developments
Moderate New law Signed California · Oct 7, 2026
California Governor Signs AB 2246 Replacing Age-Appropriate Design Code Act
On September 10, 2026, the governor of California signed AB 2246. The bill repeals and replaces the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, establishing a new framework for online services accessed by children.
CA AG · California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act
Moderate Proposed regulation Proposed United States (federal) · Oct 7, 2026
DEA proposes to modify and republish its Aviation Division system of records notice
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced a proposal to update the system of records notice for its Aviation Division, changing the categories of individuals covered, record categories, purpose, routine uses, and storage…
Justice Department · Privacy Act of 1974
Moderate Proposed regulation Proposed United States (federal) · Oct 7, 2026
DOJ proposes exemption for Firearms Rights Restoration Electronic Records Database from Privacy Act provisions
The Office of the Pardon Attorney within the U.S. Department of Justice announced a notice of a new system of records called the Firearms Rights Restoration Electronic Records Database (FRRERD). The agency proposes to exempt this system…
U.S. Department of Justice · Privacy Act of 1974
Moderate New law Signed California · Oct 6, 2026
California Governor signs over 20 AI‑related bills into law
Governor Gavin Newsom signed more than 20 bills covering AI transparency, synthetic performer disclosures, chatbot labeling, and industry‑specific AI use restrictions. The measures amend the California AI Transparency Act, create new…
California AI Transparency Act
Moderate Proposed regulation Announced European Union · Oct 6, 2026
Commission registers European Citizens' Initiative for sovereign European AI domains
The European Commission has officially registered a European Citizens' Initiative that calls for the creation of sovereign European AI domains. The initiative seeks to shape future EU policy on artificial intelligence and digital…
European Commission
Moderate New law Signed California · Oct 6, 2026
California signs law banning AI tools that assess employee emotions or collect neural data
On September 30, 2026, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that prohibits employers from using AI-powered workplace surveillance to evaluate employees' emotional states or gather neural data. The law creates new restrictions on…
Moderate Guidance Published United States (federal) · Oct 5, 2026
EPIC analysis links pixel‑tracking litigation under ECPA and CIPA to upcoming Supreme Court VPPA case
EPIC outlines how recent court decisions using the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) and California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) address non‑consensual pixel tracking and its privacy harms. The analysis cites multiple…
HHS OCR · HIPAA Privacy, Security and Breach Notification Rules
Moderate Settlement Settled United States (federal) · Oct 2, 2026
Meta’s Muse AI Agent raises privacy, security, and child safety concerns amid past FTC consent decree
Meta launched the Muse personal AI agent in September 2026, which collects extensive personal data and can act without clear user permission. EPIC reports multiple incidents where Muse accessed messages, shared home addresses, and…
Federal Trade Commission
Moderate New law Signed California · Oct 2, 2026
California Governor signs three AI employment laws
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 947, SB 951, and AB 1883 to regulate AI in employment. The laws restrict automated decision systems, require technology-related layoff notices, and limit workplace surveillance tools. Each law includes civil…
California Labor Commissioner · SB 947 (No Robo Bosses Act)
Moderate Proposed regulation Proposed European Union · Oct 2, 2026
Commission seeks feedback on proposed EU Kids Act
The European Commission is gathering feedback on the proposed EU Kids Act, which aims to improve online safety for children with measures such as a social‑media delay, safety‑by‑design rules, privacy‑preserving age assurance, and…
European Commission · EU Kids Act
Moderate Guidance Published France · Oct 2, 2026
CNIL explains when data‑breach victims can claim compensation under the GDPR
The CNIL outlines that individuals can seek damages only if a GDPR breach caused a real material or moral injury, and they can prove a causal link. Compensation is awarded by a judge, not the CNIL, and the regulator may only impose…
CNIL · RGPD
Moderate Proposed regulation Announced France · Oct 1, 2026
CNIL to examine draft decree on student violence questionnaire and automated vehicle sound monitoring
The CNIL plenary session on 1 October 2026 will examine a draft decree authorising personal data processing for a "Questionnaire violences sexistes et sexuelles" in schools. It will also review draft orders on sound radars and an automated…
Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés (CNIL) · règlement intérieur de la CNIL
Moderate Enforcement Announced Bulgaria · Oct 1, 2026
European Commission sends formal notice to Bulgaria for non‑compliance with the Digital Services Act
The Commission issued a formal notice (INFR(2024)2241) to Bulgaria for failing to fully comply with the DSA, specifically for not designating and empowering the required Digital Services Coordinators. Bulgaria has two months to respond…
European Commission · Digital Services Act
Moderate Proposed regulation Proposed European Union · Oct 1, 2026
EU Commission proposes KIDS Act to ban social‑media access for under‑13s and set minimum account age of 15
The European Commission has presented the EU KIDS Act, which would prohibit social‑media platforms from providing services to children under 13 and require a minimum age of 15 for users to open their own accounts. The proposal shifts the…
European Commission · EU KIDS Act
Moderate Proposed regulation Announced United States (federal) · Oct 1, 2026
HUD announces intent to establish eVMS system of records under the Privacy Act
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a Federal Register notice announcing its intent to create a new Privacy Act system of records called the Enterprise Voucher Management System (eVMS). The system will manage…
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) · Privacy Act of 1974
Moderate Guidance Published United States (federal) · Oct 1, 2026
Federal Register limits automated access; CAPTCHA required for flagged requests
The Federal Register website warns that programmatic requests are flagged as potentially automated and must complete a CAPTCHA to proceed. Users are directed to the FederalRegister.gov and eCFR.gov API documentation for legitimate…
Moderate Proposed regulation Proposed United States (federal) · Oct 1, 2026
Federal Register proposes limiting automated scraping, requiring API use and CAPTCHAs
The notice warns that aggressive automated scraping of FederalRegister.gov and eCFR.gov will be restricted to access via developer APIs. Human users must complete a CAPTCHA to request access, and occasional re‑verification is expected as a…
National Archives and Records Administration
Moderate Proposed bill Introduced United States (federal) · Sep 30, 2026
Senator Markey Introduces Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act of 2026
Senators Markey and Merkley, together with Representatives Jaypal, Pressley, and Tlaib, introduced legislation to halt federal use of biometric surveillance, including facial recognition. The Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology…
Moderate Guidance Published United States (federal) · Sep 30, 2026
NHTSA seeks OMB approval to renew and modify information collection for qualitative feedback on service delivery
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced its intention to request Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew a currently approved information collection, adding annual tracking studies for…
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Moderate Guidance Announced United States (federal) · Sep 30, 2026
Commerce Department seeks input on digitizing and modernizing the National Technical Reports Library
The National Technical Information Service (NTIS) issued a Request for Information to gather stakeholder feedback on fully digitizing the National Technical Reports Library (NTRL). The agency aims to make the technical reports more…
National Technical Information Service
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Coming up
Oct 2026
19
FCC proposes to modify system of records for National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
United States (federal) · effective
Oct 2026
19
FCC modifies Lifeline Program system of records (FCC/WCB-1) under the Privacy Act
United States (federal) · effective
Oct 2026
26
Peace Corps announces new CRM system of records (PC 38) effective Oct 26, 2026
United States (federal) · effective
Oct 2026
28
HHS modifies ORR Unaccompanied Children system of records, effective Oct 28, 2026
United States (federal) · effective
Oct 2026
29
Italian Garante's tracking-pixel guidelines become effective Oct 29, 2026
Italy · effective
Oct 2026
29
Italian Garante's tracking-pixel guidelines become effective Oct 29, 2026
Italy · compliance deadline
Nov 2026
2
DOI establishes new matching program under Privacy Act of 1974
United States (federal) · effective
Nov 2026
5
Treasury exempts new tip intake records from certain Privacy Act provisions
United States (federal) · effective
Nov 2026
6
Treasury proposes new system of records for federal student aid data
United States (federal) · effective
Nov 2026
16
NARA proposes revisions to System of Records NARA 44 for reasonable accommodation requests
United States (federal) · effective
Nov 2026
24
Farm Credit Administration amends employee payroll system of records under Privacy Act, effective Nov 24, 2026
United States (federal) · effective
Dec 2026
20
AEPD launches call for articles for third issue of Revista PIT on GDPR and emerging regulations
Spain · compliance deadline
By jurisdiction
United States (federal)67 new · 16 laws European Union23 new · 14 laws California14 new · 5 laws France14 new · 0 laws New York9 new · 2 laws Italy6 new · 0 laws Spain5 new · 0 laws Global3 new · 0 laws Texas2 new · 3 laws Vermont2 new · 2 laws EU-GB2 new · 0 laws Ireland2 new · 0 laws
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Topics this month
privacy · 113security · 67ai governance · 53transparency · 34data minimization · 31children · 28profiling · 27automated decision making · 26consent · 21targeted advertising · 19access · 17data governance · 16