• News & Updates •
Updated daily by AI — stories across California privacy law, teen safety, data breaches, and Big Tech.
Auto-Updated Feed
As of July 27, 2026, the California Attorney General has announced new regulations under the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA) that require websites and online services to provide additional protections for minors. These regulations include requirements for websites to obtain parental consent before collecting personal data from minors and to provide clear and transparent privacy policies. The new regulations are set to take effect on January 1, 2027.
A recent study by the nonprofit organization Common Sense Media found that many popular apps used by teenagers are collecting and sharing large amounts of personal data without proper consent. The study found that apps such as TikTok and Instagram are collecting data on teens' online activities, locations, and interactions, and sharing this data with third-party companies. The study's findings have raised concerns about the need for greater transparency and regulation of data collection practices by tech companies.
On July 20, 2026, Instagram announced that it had suffered a major data breach, resulting in the exposure of personal data of millions of its users. The breach, which occurred due to a vulnerability in Instagram's software, allowed hackers to access users' email addresses, phone numbers, and other personal data. Instagram has notified affected users and is providing them with additional security protections.
On July 15, 2026, a group of parents filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that the company had violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) by collecting and using personal data from children without proper consent. The lawsuit claims that Google's YouTube platform had collected data from children under the age of 13 without obtaining parental consent, and had used this data to target ads to children.
On July 10, 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a new bill that requires tech companies to disclose their data collection practices to consumers. The law, which takes effect on January 1, 2027, requires companies to provide clear and transparent information about the types of data they collect, how they use this data, and with whom they share it.
On July 5, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced new guidance on compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) for edtech companies. The guidance provides information on how edtech companies can ensure that they are complying with COPPA's requirements for collecting and using personal data from children under the age of 13.
Ongoing Debates
These debates shape the laws of tomorrow — and they affect you directly.
As concerns about data privacy continue to grow, there is an ongoing debate about whether tech companies should be required to obtain parental consent before collecting data from minors. Some argue that this is necessary to protect children's privacy, while others argue that it would be too burdensome for companies and could limit the availability of online services for children.
The EU's GDPR has set a new standard for data protection, and there is an ongoing debate about what this means for teenagers in the US. Some argue that the GDPR provides a model for how the US can improve its own data protection laws, while others argue that it would be too difficult to implement similar regulations in the US.
With so many companies collecting and using personal data, there is an ongoing debate about how teenagers can protect their online privacy. Some argue that teenagers should use privacy-enhancing technologies such as VPNs and ad blockers, while others argue that they should be more careful about what they share online and use privacy settings to limit data collection.
There is an ongoing debate about whether social media companies should be held responsible for the spread of misinformation among teenagers. Some argue that companies have a responsibility to ensure that the information on their platforms is accurate and trustworthy, while others argue that this would be too burdensome and could limit free speech.