High
Proposed regulation
Proposed
United States (federal) · Oct 19, 2026 · effective Oct 19, 2026
FCC proposes to modify system of records for National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
The Federal Communications Commission proposes amendments to the FCC/CGB-3 system of records, updating its purposes, categories of individuals and records, and adding two new routine uses. The changes are intended to meet Privacy Act…
Federal Communications Commission · Privacy Act of 1974
High
Final regulation
In effect
United States (federal) · Oct 19, 2026 · effective Oct 19, 2026
FCC modifies Lifeline Program system of records (FCC/WCB-1) under the Privacy Act
The Federal Communications Commission is amending the FCC/WCB-1 system of records that supports the Lifeline Program, which provides discounted voice and broadband services to low‑income households. The amendment updates the categories of…
Federal Communications Commission · Privacy Act of 1974
Moderate
Proposed regulation
Proposed
United States (federal) · Oct 15, 2026
DOJ proposes exemption for BJS statistical data system from certain Privacy Act provisions
The Office of Justice Programs announced a notice of a new system of records, BJS Statistical Data (JUSTICE/OJP-017), covering data collected under 34 U.S.C. 10132. The agency proposes to exempt this system from specific Privacy Act…
U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs · Privacy Act of 1974
High
Guidance
In effect
United States (federal) · Oct 15, 2026 · effective Nov 24, 2026
Farm Credit Administration amends employee payroll system of records under Privacy Act, effective Nov 24, 2026
The Farm Credit Administration announced an amendment to its FCA-1 system of records covering employee attendance, leave, and payroll. The amendment updates the categories of individuals and records maintained and revises the policies and…
Farm Credit Administration · Privacy Act of 1974
Moderate
Guidance
Published
United States (federal) · Oct 14, 2026
DoD establishes new matching program to compare TRICARE pharmacy records with Treasury's Do Not Pay system
The Department of Defense announced a new computer‑matching program that will compare its TRICARE Pharmacy Program records with the Treasury's Do Not Pay Working System. The program is established under the Privacy Act of 1974 and the…
Department of Defense · Privacy Act of 1974
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
Moderate
Executive order
Signed
United States (federal) · Oct 9, 2026
President Trump issues executive order creating federal voter eligibility list
In March 2026, President Trump issued an executive order directing DHS to compile a list of U.S. citizens 18 years or older and directing DOJ to prosecute officials who provide ballots to ineligible voters. The order has been challenged by…
Privacy Act of 1974
High
Fine
Decided
Italy · Oct 9, 2026 · effective May 14, 2026
Italian DPA fines Emirates €180,000 for health data infringements
The Italian Data Protection Authority imposed an administrative fine of EUR 180,000 on Emirates for violations of GDPR transparency and retention requirements concerning passengers' health data. Emirates was ordered to clarify which…
Italian Data Protection Authority · General Data Protection Regulation
Moderate
Proposed regulation
Proposed
Vermont · Oct 8, 2026
Future of Privacy Forum submits comments on Vermont Age-Appropriate Design Code rulemaking
On October 2, 2026 the Future of Privacy Forum filed comments to the Vermont Attorney General’s rulemaking for the Age-Appropriate Design Code. The act, enacted in June 2025, sets duties for businesses serving minors and will become…
Vermont Office of the Attorney General · California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act
Moderate
Proposed regulation
Proposed
France · Oct 8, 2026
CNIL examines draft deliberation authorizing BIG DATA SANTE to process personal data for anonymized medical research (ONCOVAL)
During its plenary session on 8 October 2026, the CNIL will consider a draft deliberation that would permit BIG DATA SANTE (Octopize Mimethik Data) to carry out automated processing of personal data to create anonymised datasets for…
Commission nationale de l'informatique et des libertés (CNIL) · Law of 6 January 1978
Moderate
Enforcement
Decided
France · Oct 8, 2026
CNIL closes injunction against FRANCE TRAVAIL after compliance with data security measures
The French data protection authority (CNIL) closed the injunction issued on 22 January 2026 against FRANCE TRAVAIL, after the organization demonstrated compliance with the security measures required by Article 32 of the GDPR. The original…
CNIL · RGPD
Moderate
Guidance
Published
Spain · Oct 8, 2026
AEPD publishes second issue of scientific journal “Privacy, Innovation and Technology”
The Spanish Data Protection Agency released the second issue of its scientific journal PIT, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the GDPR. The monograph examines proactive responsibility, the right to explanation in automated decisions…
Agencia Española de Protección de Datos (AEPD) · Reglamento General de Protección de Datos (RGPD)
Moderate
Proposed bill
Introduced
United States (federal) · Oct 7, 2026
Sen. Gillibrand reintroduces Data Protection Act to create U.S. Data Protection Agency
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D‑NY) has reintroduced the Data Protection Act, which would establish an independent federal Data Protection Agency. The bill aims to limit collection, use and sharing of personal data, oversee high‑risk…
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
High
Enforcement
Published
Spain · Oct 6, 2026 · effective Oct 6, 2026
AEPD issues warnings to two Spanish municipalities over AI‑enabled video surveillance projects
The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) sent preventive warnings (AI‑00170‑2026 and AI‑00171‑2026) to two local councils regarding planned video‑surveillance systems that use automated image analysis with AI. The agency stresses that the…
Agencia Española de Protección de Datos · Reglamento General de Protección de Datos
Low
FRAMEWORK UPDATE
Announced
Global · Oct 5, 2026
Future of Privacy Forum urges standardized privacy benchmarks for frontier AI systems
The paper argues that standardized privacy benchmarks are needed to evaluate privacy risks in frontier AI models, including data memorization, inference of sensitive attributes, and over‑collection. It describes emerging efforts such as…
Low
Lawsuit filed
Filed
United States (federal) · Oct 2, 2026
EPIC files amicus brief challenging Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy sale of employee data to Google
EPIC and Professor Seema Patel submitted an amicus brief in a bankruptcy case to contest Spirit Airlines' proposed $10 million sale of employee data to Google for AI training. The brief argues the sale lacks adequate privacy protections…
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
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…
