Yesterday, the European Commission introduced a proposal for a new AI liability standard. This proposal consolidates the fragmented liability standards in effect in EU member countries. It has specific provisions for “lay[ing] down uniform rules for access to information and alleviation of the burden of proof in relation to damages caused by AI systems”. Existing EU-level legislation left out considerations for end-users, an omission which this proposal addresses.

Australia’s second largest telecommunications provider was breached this week. The hacker posted the information of 10,200 customers before apologizing and taking it down. A class action lawsuit may follow from this breach.

A new California law bars in-state companies and law enforcement from sharing abortion information requested by out-of-state warrants. It raises new legal questions for companies and sets up future legal battles, but furthers California’s goal of becoming a sanctuary for abortion-seekers.

The US Treasury Department issued guidance this week aimed at increasing internet service access for protestors in Iran. This update included new internet-related exceptions to Iranian sanctions, specifically expanding VPN, video-conferencing, and social media access.

The Journalism Competition and Preservation Act advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday. It would provide an antitrust exemption for news outlets to collectively bargain with tech platforms over pricing, terms, and conditions.

A modification to California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code Act was introduced in the New York state senate this week. This legislation would outlaw advertising and data mining targeting minors and would require a hotline for parents to report content related emergencies to tech platforms. It faces staunch opposition from tech lobbyists, as it is even stricter than its California equivalent.
A recent TikTok about Turo hosts mocking a customer’s driving habits set off conversations about privacy when renting through the car sharing platform.

(Compiled by Student Fellow Jacob Leiken)