Top News – Chrome responds to IAB Tech Lab; Kids Online Safety Act gains wide support and more

Google's Privacy Sandbox responds to the IAB tech lab report

Google's Privacy Sandbox published its response to the IAB Tech Lab's Privacy Sandbox Taskforce report. The task force analyzed the basic test cases of Privacy Sandbox and found that it wasn't feasible. Google's response 'appreciates' the Tech Lab's mission; however, it finds that the analysis 'contains many misunderstandings and inaccuracies,' which they correct in their response. Chrome goes on to state that the intention behind the Privacy Sandbox APIs is to preserve privacy while supporting business goals; they are not 'replacements for third-party cookies.' Read more

College Board fined $750,000 for violating student privacy 

New York-based non-profit institution College Board was investigated by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and fined by NY AG Letitia James and N.Y. State Education Department Commissioner Betty A. Rosa for collecting students' personal data and licensing that data to colleges, scholarship programs, and other customers. Customers used this data to solicit students to join their programs. In addition to the fine, the College Board has been prohibited from monetizing the data of N.Y. students. Read more

Germany amends their data protection act

Germany's Federal Ministry of the Interior Bundesinnenministerium, approved the bill to amend the Federal Data Protection Act. The bill was presented by the Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser. The new amendments will improve the enforcement of the data protection law and 'create legal certainty for consumer protection scoring' this new regulation on scoring is intended to strengthen consumer rights. Read more

62 U.S Senators co-sponsor the Kids Online Safety Act

New changes have been made to the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act with 62 co-sponsors, a redraft of which was released by lead sponsors Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal, who highlighted the need to listen to kids, parents, experts, and advocates and finally hold Big Tech accountable". The Act aims to address the "online harassment and bullying" that children and teens are subject to. Read more

Bank of America suffers loss of Sensitive Personal Information

Third-party Infosys McCamish Systems (IMS), an insurance process management services provider doing business with Bank of America, was compromised in a data breach that occurred in October 2023, as announced in the breach report filing with the A.G. of Maine. Personal and financial information of around 57,000 people is said to have been compromised. Read more