Privacy

Data plays an essential role in governance, and a new report from the Open Technology Institute illuminates an urgent need for public-sector adoption of technologies that help enable secure use of data.

Most K-12 ed-tech leaders are responsible for overseeing student data privacy in their districts even though it’s not part of their job descriptions, and the Consortium for School Networking has resources to help them.

The City Council signed off recently on spending $240,000 for 32 automatic license plate reader cameras, and three surveillance cameras. Two members did, however, express concerns about privacy and surveillance.

The American Federation of Teachers and two other labor unions have sued the Education Department for violating federal privacy laws by granting DOGE access to the agency's data systems.

A bill from state Sen. Tom Umberg seeks to ensure companies collecting such information use it only for the purpose for which it was collected. Once that is done, the data must also be deleted.

Suspicious activity in July prompted an investigation with aid from third-party forensic specialists. Data belonging to around 4,500 residents, including Social Security and driver’s license numbers, may have been improperly accessed.

Longtime executive Ted Cotterill has stepped down as state chief privacy officer and general counsel to the Management Performance Hub. He helped shape the legislation that codified MPH in state law in 2017.

An ever-growing number of regulations and standards leaves many government cyber experts wondering if more guidelines necessarily equate to better cybersecurity.

As anger builds toward public-sector officials, at least one online privacy data company is reporting increased interest in its services. The company’s leader discusses his response to the current tension.

Lawmakers in Arkansas and Missouri are considering legislation that would bolster cyber reporting and data privacy standards for businesses; and, in Texas, tighten cybersecurity standards for water utilities.

The advanced cameras — which have faced criticism over privacy concerns — are being installed in southwest Dallas, and officials say they will combat violent crime and bolster public safety.

A proposed law in Nebraska would keep companies from being held liable in class-action lawsuits over data breaches unless the breach was caused by their own “willful, wanton, or gross negligence.”

The incident, part of a “vulnerability exploit,” did not expose the Social Security numbers or financial information of CPS Energy customers in San Antonio and adjoining Texas counties. They are nevertheless being notified.

The city has announced a data breach impacting Social Security and driver’s license numbers, credit card information and other data for nearly 18,000 people. There’s no indication of actual or attempted misuse.

The city’s inaugural Chief Privacy Officer Ciara Maerowitz is working to weave privacy into processes, get risk assessments done, and promote a culture of responsible data use and transparency in public services.

A January data breach at Middletown, Conn.-based Community Health Center Inc. may have exposed medical records and Social Security numbers of more than 1 million residents there and in several other states.

Officials at Arizona’s capital city have elevated an executive into the new role of chief privacy officer. She will help to improve data governance, mitigate privacy risks and ensure compliance with privacy laws.

U.S. officials commemorated Data Privacy Day in several ways, ranging from spreading awareness to sharing informational materials at state and local levels. Observance of the occasion originated in 2007.