Those privacy concerns have taken on new importance amid Democratic fears that government officials in states where abortion is illegal could use the data to prosecute cases.
Chairman of the Judicial Committee of the House of Representatives Jerrold Nadler (DN.Y.) plans to launch a hearing on “digital networks” and government access to data by noting that women are “at particular risk” for government data surveillance, according to prepared remarks shared with The Technology 202.
Nadler will warn that state law enforcement will be able to “use available data to track who searches online for the words ‘abortion’ or ‘abortion'” and “purchase location data to monitor which phones travel overseas to get to one. medical provider”.
But the session could also provide a preview of the political minefield companies must navigate as they weigh requests for reproductive health records and other sensitive information.
Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, the top Republican on the panel, has been a vocal critic of federal surveillance and at times an ally of Democrats seeking legislative reform. Jordan is also an outspoken foe of abortion, as are other Republicans on the committee.
They may oppose calls from Democratic lawmakers for companies to limit their data collection afterdeer, or with companies’ efforts to resist government requests for data. A spokesman for Jordan declined to comment on his plans for the hearing.
A special hearing by a House committee currently negotiating a landmark data privacy bill is poised to touch on the collection of sensitive data by tech companies.
A memorandum prepared for the hearing by majority staff on the House Energy and Commerce panel highlighted President BidenThe executive order calls on federal agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, to take greater steps to protect reproductive health data. The issue has been a major focus for many Democratic panel leaders.
The session could also provide a window into how lawmakers are factoring data privacy concerns behinddeer in their broader negotiations on a federal privacy bill. A senior Democrat has expressed concern that their proposal would leave women still very vulnerable to privacy risks.
Speaker of the Chamber Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said separately the caucus is considering legislation that “[p]preserves women’s most intimate and personal data stored in reproductive health apps.”
“Many fear that this information could be used against women by a rogue prosecutor in a state that criminalizes abortion,” Pelosi wrote in a recent letter to House Democrats.
While Democrats have called on tech companies to limit their data collection and agencies to monitor for any overreach afterdeerThere is also growing pressure from tech groups for the federal government to police its own privacy practices.
The Chamber of Progress, a left-of-center trade group that receives funding from top tech companies, recently asked the Justice Department to reconsider its position on digital privacy. The group wrote in a letter first reported by The Technology 202 that federal prosecutors “have repeatedly made arguments that undermine Fourth Amendment protections for records.”
The group argued that the same tactics could be used to “target reproductive health organizations and clinics that can advise women about the availability of abortion services in other states or create a network to identify women who may seek reproductive services.” abroad”.
The mission highlights how there is increasing scrutiny from all sides on both public and private collection of sensitive data and how it can be used in a post-deer the landscape.
Apple accused of antitrust violations in Apple Pay lawsuit
The class action lawsuit accuses Apple of “using its market power in the mobile device industry to fend off competition from other payment card issuers and charging them fees to boost its bottom line,” Bloomberg. Malathi Nayak reports.
Apple prevents competitors from accessing the near-field communication interface from working with the tech giant’s devices and “charges card issuers fees that no other mobile wallet dares to charge,” Affinity Credit Union claims. based in Iowa in a lawsuit filed. Monday in federal court in California, Bloomberg reported.
It’s the latest sign of increased antitrust scrutiny for Apple, which is under the glare of regulators in Europe and the United States.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Bloomberg.
Uber, DOJ settle case alleging company overcharged disabled people
Uber has agreed to pay “several million dollars in compensation” to more than 65,000 users with disabilities who were charged for waiting times while using the service, according to an announcement Monday by the Justice Department, the Wall Street Journal. Preetika Rana reports.
“The waiting time fee is typically applied two minutes after a standard Uber arrives at a pickup location and is charged until the car begins its journey. Uber previously said the average wait time fee charged to riders is less than 60 cents,” according to the report.
“This settlement sends a strong message that Uber and other ride-sharing companies will be held accountable if their services discriminate against people with disabilities,” it said. Kristen Clarkean assistant attorney general at the Department of Justice.
Uber said on Monday it was pleased to have reached the agreement.
DHS advisory panel says disinformation board not needed
“Advisors to the Department of Homeland Security urged the agency on Monday to scrap the disinformation governance board that the Biden administration created this year only to see it implode amid confusion and partisan bickering over its role,” my colleague. Maria Sacchetti reports.
The board drew backlash from Republicans who called it an Orwellian effort to censor speech.
Michael Chertoff, co-chairman of the council subcommittee that drafted the recommendation and a former DHS secretary, did not explain the panel’s reasoning before the broader council voted to approve the recommendation on Monday. He said the subcommittee is working on a full report on the disinformation due Aug. 3.
Photos of Elon Musk vacationing in Greece before his team’s trial against Twitter appeared online Monday. The internet had opinions. Ryan Mac of the New York Times:
Bloomberg opinion columnist Matt Levine:
oh surely *he* should go on vacation
— Matt Levine (@matt_levine) July 18, 2022
Thanks, I’ve seen the pictures of the yacht, you can stop now.
– Mark Bergen (@mhbergen) July 18, 2022
Uber agrees to pay fines after charging disabled people (Wall Street Journal)
The definition of broadband may vary. That is why. (Chris Velazco)
STEM immigration push hits dead end as competition hopes fade (Bloomberg Govt.)
Chip designers happy with US bill despite big benefits for Intel (Reuters)
In the first hearing, Twitter will push for a speedy trial against Elon Musk (Elizabeth Dwoskin)
Amazon Sues Facebook Group Admins Over Fake Reviews (TechCrunch)
Giphy’s Metha Acquisition Is Getting a New UK Investigation (Protocol)
How Elon Musk Became a New Kind of Celebrity (Ashley Fetters Maloy and Nitasha Tiku)
In the “Metaverse”, a leading evangelist avoids prediction (Shannon Liao)
- The House Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing on government access to personal data today at 10:00 a.m.
- The House Energy and Commerce Committee holds a hearing on data privacy legislation Wednesday at 9:45 a.m.
- The Senate Commerce Committee holds a hearing to consider President Biden’s nomination Arati Prabhakar to lead the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
- FCC Commissioner Brendan Carra Republican, discusses broadband grants at an American Enterprise Institute event Thursday at 10 a.m.
that‘That’s all for today – thank you so much for joining us! Be sure to tell others to subscribe of technology 202 here. Get in touch with tips, comments or greetings I tweet or email.
