Digital Privacy

Digital Privacy

Current trend: Holding · Category: Technology · Last updated: August 26, 2026

Current situation

Governments continue expanding scrutiny of digital data collection. Europe is generally leading this charge, with moves against some of the largest technology companies (particularly those registered in the U.S.).

Why we're watching

Privacy rules shape technology products, advertising, AI development, and parental control over minors' access to social media, in particular. This is a heightened issue in Europe.

What to watch for next

Major data breaches, Privacy legislation, Platform policy changes

Signal history

  • 2026-08-26 — Flock is facing growing backlash over its spreading camera network. The concerns are about privacy, security vulnerabilities, and abuses, such as officers using the cameras to stalk partners. Flock has 120,000 cameras in 49 states that capture 20 billion license plates a month, along with other identifying features such as dents and bumper stickers. Even as some municipalities cancel their contracts and cameras get defaced or destroyed by vandals, Flock says demand for their cameras and monitoring services has never been higher. They recently instituted some safeguards to prevent abuse, but that means the public has to trust what they say. As the cameras become more ubiquitous, the public response will likely only continue to grow.
  • 2026-08-22 — The Justice Department alleged that TikTok continued to collect data on children, such as email addresses, phone numbers and location data, and failed to comply with requests from parents to delete their children’s information. Since the suit, TikTok has implemented extensive measures designed to strengthen safeguards for younger users, improve age-related controls, and enhance parental oversight. Last year, TikTok announced it would spin off its American assets to mostly American investors, and the settlement of this suit will further the social network's ability to continue operations.
  • 2026-08-19 — The FTC is warning companies that they must disclose when they use highly detailed personal data to personalize a price offer. The agency can't prevent companies from doing it, but they can take action if companies don't disclose their activity. With the help of more sophisticated AI tools, companies have become adept, and aggressive, at showing different prices to different consumers based on what they know about them. This is especially prevalent for high-value purchases like airline tickets. While companies may not pull back on the practice, or even disclose it until the FTC actually takes action against someone, it's a win for consumer-privacy and affordability advocates.
  • 2026-08-14 — Flock announces security changes Flock Safety, which makes AI-enabled cameras that scans and collects license plates, announced new guardrails. There have been multiple reports of abuse by law enforcement, and there has been growing public backlash over mass surveillance, with many reports of cameras being disabled and some municipalities cancelling their contracts. **Bottom line, the new guidelines (which will be required for police) are one step to address the public's concerns but likely don't go far enough.**
  • 2026-08-09 — Cudahy business removes Flock cameras over growing privacy concerns More than 220 law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin use Flock Safety camera technology, but more and more community members are pushing back. **Bottom line, there is a rising movement against what has been an exceptionally fast rollout of Flock cameras, especially those pointed at businesses like gun shops.**
  • 2026-08-09 — People are pushing back against the glasses that record New tech products are moving surveillance from inside a home, where people can at least see the object and talk about it, to something that's constantly moving through every space and every conversation. The public is becoming increasingly anxious about the idea of being recorded without their consent and may result in a pushback against some of the new technology.
  • 2026-08-02 — Incognito mode is a total lie Google's $5 billion settlement over misleading information about its Incognito mode emphasizes the need for transparency in online data practices. It may impact future regulations and consumer trust in tech companies.
  • 2026-07-16 — UK government U-turns on age-gating privacy tools The UK government confirmed it will not limit VPNs

Related briefings

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