InfoHive – Data Security

What’s happening? Everyone in California who has received a dose of vaccine has had their information entered into a state database. Medical patient data is being shared across third-party digital platforms

Why is this important? Emergency waivers during the pandemic may have eased data privacy laws.

How will this be important? The legal minds are concerned about what happens to our medical data when a private company, say an airline, asks for our vaccine card, uploads it in exchange for certain improved services. How is that information protected in the hands of the private third party that is not in the health care business.

Mercury News via Governing | California Vaccination Records Raise Data Privacy Concerns

What’s happening? Florida Governor signed its bill prohibiting Twitter and other social media platforms from banning elected officials and candidates. As every action has an equal and opposite reaction, Florida was sued.

Why is this important?  Netchoiceand the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) filed suit. Their members include Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Google, and eBay. They say that the law violates the 1st Amendment (free speech) 14th amendment (Due Process), the Commerce Clause and is preempted by the federal Communications Decency Act.

How will this be important? Know any constitutionally gifted litigators because Florida isn’t the only state making this move….

Ars Technika | Big Tech sues Florida, saying social media law violates First Amendment

What’s happening? Pennsylvania is considering legislation that was amended with more stringent notification requirements for state and local governmental entities, including school districts. These entities will have to notify affected individuals within  seven days of discovery and notify the state’s Attorney General within 3 business days, or notify the DA’s office within three days if the breach occurs on the county level.

Why is this important? State and local governmental entities hold a lot of personal information and often may not have the most up to date equipment and software.

How will this be important? This bifurcated notification system is replicable.

KDKA | Pennsylvania Senate Committee Approves Bill Updating Notification Process For Data Breaches

What’s happening? Oregon is considering HB 3047 (2021 |OR) that would create a civil cause of action for doxxing any person in Oregon. Doxxing is releasing a person’s personal information with an intent to harass the person.

Why is this important? Doxxing statutes are growing in popularity and growing in specificity. Some only apply to certain professions like law enforcement.

How will this be important? We’re just learning new online bad acts, and sometimes those bills can be hijacked by Open Records and disclosure amendments. Be aware.

Oregon Live | Amendment to anti-doxxing bill would block release of some public employee info

What’s happening? Oklahoma Governor signed HB 1643 (2021 | OK) that makes doxxing law enforcement illegal.

Why is this important? Doxxing is entering the lexicon. Doxxing is when a person ” publish or post anything online that could include personally identifying information about a police officer if their intent is to threaten, harass or stalk them. In some cases, this could even include a picture of an officer wearing a name page.”

How will this be important? Doxxing laws a spreading throughout the U.S. applying broadly or only to certain professions. Write your doxxing laws now.

KOKO News 5 | Stitt signs bill preventing Oklahoma law enforcement officers from being doxxed

What’s happening? The European Commission wants tech companies to block accounts sharing disinformation and ban those that regularly post debunked content

Why is this important? In 2018 the big tech companies and the EU signed the its Code of Practice on Disinformation, a voluntary pact signed by the world’s largest social media companies to stop the spread of disinformation

How will this be important? If tech trends, like protecting data privacy begin in Europe, this stands. good chance of jumping the policy pond to the States.

NPR | Europe Wants Social Media Giants To Do More To Stop Disinformation

What’s happening? The  NewDEAL Forum created its Broadband Task Force to identify obstacles to broadband access

Why is this important? Investment in broadband is an investment in the future of a state. States are funding, mapping broadband access, and working to build out broadband access to their most rural areas.

How will this be important? Broadband access isn’t a partisan issue.

Route Fifty | State and Local Leaders Form New Group to Tackle Broadband Gaps

What’s happening? Florida Governor signed its version of the “twitter bill” that prohibits immediately suspending a social media account, providing 30 day grace period. If no 30 day warning period is given, fines can be $250,000 for statewide candidates and $25,000 for other candidates.

Why is this important? Florida has a new resident who is a former President who was removed from social media platforms.

How will this be important? The role of social media and its role in relation to the 1st amendment is at its nascent for legislators and regulators.

Miami Herald via Governing | Florida Law Stops Big Tech from Banning Political Candidates

What’s happening? OH Legislature passed HB 2 (2021 | OH) that created Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program.

Why is this important? COVID revealed that nearly 1 million Ohioans lack access to reliable high-speed internet service

How will this be important? The grant program sets aside $20 million, and an additional $190 million is anticipated through other funding strategies.

Governing | Ohio Approves $20 Million for Broadband Expansion

What’s happening? Compass Mining,  the world’s first online marketplace for Bitcoin mining hardware and hosting, is joining Texas BlockChain Council.

Why is this important? Compass Mining wants in on the action of education legislators

How will this be important? They smell fresh meat and the fresh meat is the Texas Legislature

Accesswire | Compass Joins the Texas Blockchain Council as a New Member