Low
Court ruling
Dismissed
California · Oct 13, 2026
California trial court dismisses SIREN v. San Jose challenge to warrantless ALPR searches
A California trial court dismissed SIREN v. San Jose, a case brought by EFF and the ACLU challenging the city’s warrantless searches of automated license plate reader data. The court held that drivers have no reasonable expectation of…
California Constitution
Moderate
Court ruling
Decided
United States (federal) · Oct 13, 2026
Bernstein v. DOJ ruling holds encryption code is protected speech
The podcast notes that the 1995 case Bernstein v. Department of Justice held that code is speech protected by the First Amendment. This precedent underpins modern internet privacy and encryption. The case was brought by Dan Bernstein with…
CPPA · California Delete Act
Moderate
Guidance
Published
European Union · Oct 13, 2026
CEPD issues guidance on data protection challenges of smart glasses
The European Data Protection Board adopted a declaration on connected glasses and released a report outlining privacy risks. It clarifies when users act as data controllers under the GDPR and stresses that manufacturers and service…
European Data Protection Board (CEPD) · RGPD
Moderate
Guidance
Published
European Union · Oct 13, 2026
EDPB issues guidance on privacy challenges of smart glasses
The European Data Protection Board adopted statement 1/2026 on smart glasses, highlighting serious privacy concerns and the need for transparency. It clarifies when users act as data controllers and stresses that manufacturers and service…
European Data Protection Board · General Data Protection Regulation
Moderate
Fine
In effect
France · Oct 13, 2026
French DPA fines Google €325 million for spam emails in Gmail
The French data protection authority imposed a €325 million administrative fine on Google for sending spam emails through Gmail, citing violations of the GDPR.
French Data Protection Authority · General Data Protection Regulation
High
Proposed regulation
Proposed
United States (federal) · Oct 13, 2026 · effective Oct 13, 2026
FHFA proposes to rescind SORN FHFA-12 and consolidate records under SORN FHFA-11
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced a proposal to rescind the existing System of Records Notice (SORN) FHFA-12, which covers parking program records. The agency will consolidate those records with its transit subsidy…
Federal Housing Finance Agency · Privacy Act of 1974
Moderate
Guidance
Announced
European Union · Oct 12, 2026
Future of Privacy Forum Announces 2026 Award Recipients Honoring Data Protection Leadership in Europe
The Future of Privacy Forum announced the winners of its 2026 Awards, recognizing the European Data Protection Supervisor, scholar Christopher Kuner, and SAP executive Corinna Cellarius for their contributions to data protection and…
EDPB · General Data Protection Regulation
High
Fine
In effect
Italy · Oct 12, 2026 · effective Jun 5, 2026
Italian DPA fines Wind Tre €16.7 million for unlawful telemarketing
The Italian Data Protection Authority imposed an administrative fine of EUR 16 700 000 on Wind Tre S.p.A. for violations of GDPR principles in its telemarketing and contract activation practices. The authority also issued a definitive ban…
Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante) · General Data Protection Regulation
Moderate
Guidance
Published
European Union · Oct 12, 2026
noyb ranks EU Parliament members on their stance toward GDPR and ePrivacy amendments
noyb analysed over 1,000 amendments to the GDPR and ePrivacy Directive linked to the Digital Omnibus reform, grading each MEP on whether their changes strengthen or weaken privacy protections. The report finds the European People’s Party…
ePrivacy Directive