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
Low
Court ruling
Decided
New York · Oct 2, 2026
Federal judge rejects motion to dismiss social media surveillance lawsuit against Trump administration
A U.S. District Court in New York denied the government’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by three labor unions alleging viewpoint‑based social media surveillance of noncitizens. The case, filed in October 2025, targets the Departments…
Administrative Procedure Act
Low
Enforcement
In effect
EC · Oct 2, 2026
Ecuador orders security expert Ola Bini deported and bans return for 10 years
Ecuadorian immigration authorities detained free software developer Ola Bini in Quito and ordered his immediate deportation, prohibiting his return for a decade. The decision was based on a secret report alleging threats to public…
Ecuadorian immigration authorities
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)
Low
Guidance
Published
European Union · Oct 2, 2026
EDPB adopts Guidelines 04/2026 on GDPR fines and corrective powers for public consultation
The European Data Protection Board adopted Guidelines 04/2026 on the application of administrative fines and other corrective powers under the EU GDPR. The guidelines were released on September 17, 2026 for public consultation.
European Data Protection Board · General Data Protection Regulation
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
High
Guidance
In effect
United States (federal) · Oct 2, 2026 · effective Nov 2, 2026
DOI establishes new matching program under Privacy Act of 1974
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced a new matching program that will compare records from 20 DOI programs with the Treasury's Do Not Pay Working System. The program aims to verify prepayment or pre‑award eligibility, prevent…
U.S. Department of the Interior · Privacy Act of 1974
Low
Enforcement
Announced
California · Oct 1, 2026
EFF and ACLU demand records from Marin County Sheriff over illegal ALPR data sharing
The Electronic Frontier Foundation and the ACLU of Northern California sent a demand letter to the Marin County Sheriff’s Office requesting records under the California Public Records Act. The letter alleges violations of California law SB…
SB 34
Low
Court ruling
In effect
United States (federal) · Oct 1, 2026
Court order forces Google to allow third‑party app stores on Play Store
A court order stemming from Epic Games v. Google requires Google to permit rival Android app stores to be listed in the Play Store and to let developers direct users to alternative payment and distribution options. The change expands user…
Low
Court ruling
In effect
Utah · Oct 1, 2026
Federal judge blocks Utah's anti-VPN age‑verification law (SB 73) with preliminary injunction
A U.S. federal judge issued a preliminary injunction halting enforcement of Utah's SB 73, which required adult websites to block VPN users or determine their physical location for age verification. The court found the statute imposes a…
Utah SB 73
Low
Guidance
Announced
United States (federal) · Oct 1, 2026
EFF launches Opt Out October campaign urging users to leave tech giants for privacy
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) released its annual Opt Out October campaign, encouraging individuals to regain control of their data by opting out of major platforms, apps, and operating systems. The initiative provides…
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
High
Guidance
Published
France · Oct 1, 2026 · effective Oct 1, 2026
CNIL and Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr release guide for individuals on personal data breach response
The French data protection authority (CNIL) and Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr have published a practical support document titled “Violation de données personnelles, que faire en 3 étapes clés ?”. The guide provides a three‑step checklist for…
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
Low
Court ruling
Decided
California · Sep 30, 2026
California Court of Appeals affirms dismissal of CEO's anti‑SLAPP suit against journalist
The California Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit filed by former Premise Data CEO Maury Blackman against journalist Jack Poulson, Substack, and AWS. The court ruled the suit was meritless under California’s…
California anti‑SLAPP statute
