Travis Hall

I snuck into a concert with the choir and had to pretend to sing in a language I don’t speak by mouthing “we all live in a yellow submarine” repeatedly.

Solidarity to the NYU faculty members as they prepare to strike.

University leadership must offer a deal that meets the moment: Stronger job security, higher wages, and academic freedom protections.

NYU, it’s time to give CFU-UAW a fair contract and also pay your RAs!

The Virginia legislature has banned the sale of precise geolocation data through a simple amendment to their otherwise bad privacy law!!!

lis.virginia.gov/bill-details...

it's an extraordinarily commonsense move that is unreasonable not to adopt nationwide -- the bar is low but gotta take the W!!

Tech Talks with Jamal Magby.

On the new episode of CDT’s Tech Talks, Kate Ruane & Riana Pfefferkorn unpack the recent Grok AI controversy, from reports of harmful outputs, incl. non-consensual intimate imagery, to broader questions ab safety guardrails, moderation choices, & accountability. cdt.org/insights/tal...

Senators Mike Lee and Dick Durbin just introducing the SAFE Act, legislation to enact major reforms to FISA surveillance, in particular Section 702, a warrantless surveillance authority that’s repeatedly been misused against Americans

Here are key details about this bill….

America desperately needs new privacy laws Invasive government and corporate surveillance isn’t inevitable — but Congress needs to act.

The Verge saying the US desperately needs a #privacy law. I agree.

www.theverge.com/column/88251...

Spring Fling.

We’re counting down to CDT’s Spring Fling—where the tech policy community comes together during IAPP’s Global Summit! 🎉

📍 Crimson, DC
📅 March 30 | 7–10 PM
🎟️ Tickets & sponsorships now available: springfling@cdt.org

cdt.org/event/2026-s...

CDT's Non-Resident Fellows.

We’re thrilled to welcome CDT’s 2026–2027 class of Non-Resident Fellows — a remarkable group of scholars and experts whose insights will strengthen our work defending civil rights, civil liberties, and democratic values in the digital age. cdt.org/about/fellow...

Six Takeaways from Education and Workforce Committee Hearing on Building an AI-Ready America On January 14, 2026, CDT’s CEO Alexandra Reeve Givens testified at a hearing entitled, “Building an AI-Ready America,” hosted by the House Committee on Education and Workforce. Her full testimony is available here, but her overall message emphasized the need for transparency and guardrails as AI becomes more prominent in schools and the workplace in […]

New from CDT’s Kristin Woelfel and Ridhi Shetty: At last month’s Building an AI-Ready America House hearing, CDT CEO Alexandra Reeve Givens testified on the need for strong transparency and guardrails as AI expands across schools and workplaces.

Has anyone delved into the shift in conversation from "the Border" to "immigration"? It feels like all of the rhetoric from both sides during the election was on border security, and now it is about immigration. Seems important but not sure I've seen it discussed!

Consumer Reports unveils new model bill to prevent geolocation data from being weaponized against consumers Consumer Reports released today the State Location Privacy Act, model legislation developed to provide lawmakers with a framework for protecting the precise geolocation data of…

“The State Location Privacy Act (SLPA) also received the endorsements of EPIC, Consumer Federation of America, Privacy Rights Clearing House, Public Knowledge, CDT, PIRG, & TechEquity, which are united in advancing meaningful privacy rights as detailed in the SLPA.“

We've started! Tune in on YouTube: www.youtube.com/live/glO0_Sw...

Political Influencers.

Political influencers are reshaping how millions of Americans engage with democracy. New analysis from CDT’s Isabel Linzer & Becca Branum break down what this shift means for transparency, accountability, & democratic norms. cdt.org/insights/pol...

CDT joined 1,025 org urging Congress to reject further funding for ICE and CBP without meaningful new oversight and controls. www.detentionwatchne...

People all over the country are sharing information about ICE activities. Anonymity is a safety tool. DHS has been trying to get information on anonymous accounts without sufficient process and really only because they don't like that they are a tool of accountability.

How can state & local governments responsibly use AI in 2026?
Join CDT on Feb. 3 for a virtual discussion on AI governance, oversight, and public trust in government services. 🗓️ Feb 3, 2026 | ⏰ 11:00 AM–12:00 PM ET | 💻 Virtual
cdt.org/event/how-ca...

TikTok Strikes Deal for New U.S. Entity, Ending Long Legal Saga

The TikTok deal has improved the privacy of exactly no one and has done nothing to improve national security. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/t...

States Focused on Responsible Use of AI in Education during the 2025 Legislative Session This blog is part of a series of pieces highlighting AI regulation trends across states during the 2025 legislative session. See CDT’s other blogs on public sector AI legislation and state administrative data privacy legislation. Introduction This year, the government and industry alike have given unprecedented attention to artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, implementation, and literacy […]

As federal investment in AI for education accelerates, states are stepping in to ensure AI is used in ways that protect students’ rights and well-being. Responsible AI in schools requires clear rules, real training, and strong safeguards.

Five clear trends emerged:
• Advancing AI literacy for students & teacher training
• Creating guidance on responsible AI use (privacy, transparency, security)
• Establishing studies & task forces
• Prohibiting high-risk AI uses
• Addressing AI-generated deepfake NCII in schools

States Focused on Responsible Use of AI in Education during the 2025 Legislative Session This blog is part of a series of pieces highlighting AI regulation trends across states during the 2025 legislative session. See CDT’s other blogs on public sector AI legislation and state administrative data privacy legislation. Introduction This year, the government and industry alike have given unprecedented attention to artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, implementation, and literacy […]

NEW from CDT’s Maddy Dwyer: In 2025, states moved quickly to address the growing use of AI in classrooms. Across 21 states, lawmakers introduced 53 bills on AI in education—most focused on K–12—with 4 states enacting new laws to put guardrails around AI use.

2025 State Legislative Efforts to Address Changes in Federal Access to State Administrative Data This blog is part of a series of pieces highlighting AI regulation trends across states during the 2025 legislative session. See CDT’s other blogs on state public sector AI legislation and AI in education legislation. Introduction Over the past year, the Trump Administration has sought to consolidate and repurpose administrative data, including personal data about […]

CDT’s analysis highlights both risks and promising paths forward, including new laws in NM, IL, and CA that better safeguard state-held data. Strong protections aren’t just about privacy—they’re essential to public trust and access to critical services.

Most bills aimed to strengthen protections limiting when sensitive information can be collected or shared with the federal government. But others moved in the opposite direction, expanding data collection and mandating sharing with federal immigration authorities.

2025 State Legislative Efforts to Address Changes in Federal Access to State Administrative Data This blog is part of a series of pieces highlighting AI regulation trends across states during the 2025 legislative session. See CDT’s other blogs on state public sector AI legislation and AI in education legislation. Introduction Over the past year, the Trump Administration has sought to consolidate and repurpose administrative data, including personal data about […]

NEW from CDT’s Quinn Anex-Ries + Maddy Dwyer: In 2025, state lawmakers responded to expanding federal access to state administrative data—like Medicaid, SNAP, education, and immigration-related records—amid growing privacy and security concerns.

Careers Current Openingsfind yourself engaged in passionate discussions about privacy policies? Are you yearning to put your expertise to work on internet neutrality legislation? If so, you might be a great f...

I'm hiring a senior policy analyst/counsel for the privacy & data team at CDT!

"Inquire within"

TUNE IN NOW: CDT President & CEO Alexandra Reeve Givens is testifying before Congress at the full committee hearing on “Building an AI-Ready America.”
🎥 Watch live:

Building an AI-Ready America - YouTube About the Committee:Education and Workforce Committee Republicans are committed to fostering the best opportunities for students to learn, workers to succeed...

🚨 Tomorrow: CDT President & CEO Alexandra Reeve Givens will testify before Congress at the full committee hearing on “Building an AI-Ready America.”

⏰ Jan. 14 at 10:15 AM ET
🎥 Watch live:

Iran Is Cut Off From Internet as Protests Calling for Regime Change Intensify

There's an internet blackout in Iran designed to silence protest and quell dissent. Again. And it shows us the potential consequences of the US government's withdrawal from international spaces - particularly the Freedom Online Coalition. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/w...

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

A bit of real cheer for us all!

🎅🎄🤶🌲

States will keep pushing AI laws despite Trump’s efforts to stop them • Stateline State lawmakers of both parties say they plan to keep passing laws regulating artificial intelligence despite President Donald Trump’s efforts to stop them.

“Trump’s executive order could cause concern among lawmakers who fear possible blowback from the administration for their efforts, said @travisrh.bsky.social, the director for state engagement at the CDT, a nonprofit that advocates for digital rights & freedom of expression.”