‘What Happened to Taylor is Nothing New’: AI-Generated Celebrity Images & The Need for Legal Safeguards

By: Meg Cotter   In the end of January, fake sexually explicit images of Taylor Swift spread rapidly across social media platforms specificallyacross X. They racked in tens of millions of views before being reported and taken down. The images originated in a channel on Telegram, a messaging app dedicated to producing similar images. As… Read More ‘What Happened to Taylor is Nothing New’: AI-Generated Celebrity Images & The Need for Legal Safeguards

Fourth Amendment Protection: How Technological Advancements Warrant More Judicial Oversight

By: Andrew Cammarano The Fourth Amendment states that the people have the right to be “secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated,” aimed to protect citizens from warrantless searches. Obviously, technology has changed drastically from the ratification of this amendment in 1789 with the introduction… Read More Fourth Amendment Protection: How Technological Advancements Warrant More Judicial Oversight

Empowering “Kidfluencers:” Illinois’ Law Ensures Financial Security and Privacy Protection in the Digital Age

 By: Meg Apostolides In today’s digital age, the childhood experience has undergone a profound transformation, largely due to the proliferation of social media platforms. This digital landscape has given rise to a new breed of public figures known as “influencers,” people who have adeptly cultivated their personal brands and amassed sizeable followings. The unprecedented access… Read More Empowering “Kidfluencers:” Illinois’ Law Ensures Financial Security and Privacy Protection in the Digital Age

Genealogical Information Being Used to Make Family Connections and Solve Crime; But Does it Have Privacy and Ethical Implications?

By: Kate Donovan Genealogical research has rapidly changed and improved with advancements in technology, specifically online databases with DNA information and most recently the use of artificial intelligence. These advancements have allowed individuals to research and find more accurate genealogical information, but also discover this information in an efficient manner. Another reason that DNA research… Read More Genealogical Information Being Used to Make Family Connections and Solve Crime; But Does it Have Privacy and Ethical Implications?

Wearable Technology in College Athletics Creates Potential Privacy Violations with the Distribution of Student-Athlete Biometric Data

By: Kate Donovan   Wearable technology is often used in college athletics to track athlete’s sleep, recovery, heart rate and other measurements to predict and regulate their performance.  This technology— found in devices such as the Apple Watch, Fitbits, and Whoop— has become a staple in college athletics and many programs have invested in this technology… Read More Wearable Technology in College Athletics Creates Potential Privacy Violations with the Distribution of Student-Athlete Biometric Data

Closing the Loophole: Effects of Apple’s New Advanced Data Protection for iCloud

By: Kendall Casey Apple has rolled out a new way to protect data.  Previously, Apple promised that iPhone data was end-to-end encrypted, meaning only the user could access it.  However, once the iPhone backed up to iCloud, Apple could access it, and, therefore, the data could be subject to a warrant from law enforcement.  As… Read More Closing the Loophole: Effects of Apple’s New Advanced Data Protection for iCloud

Apple’s New Fertility Tracking Feature Presents New Privacy Concerns Under Dobbs

By: Alexandra Evarts Apple, Inc. launched its newest Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Series 8, at its annual iPhone conference in September.  Using the Apple Watch Series 8, users will now be able to track their fertility through wrist temperature data.  With the launch of this new fertility tracking feature coming just a few months… Read More Apple’s New Fertility Tracking Feature Presents New Privacy Concerns Under Dobbs

Confidentiality: Genetic Privacy

Genetics is a science that can be used to categorize people, stigmatize them, or subject them to social or economic discrimination. The individuals being tested are not the only ones with an interest in the test results. Family members, employers, insurers, the press, and the government all may desire information about a person’s genetics. Thus, raising a lot of privacy issues for genetic information. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) was designed to prohibit the improper use of genetic information for insurance and employment purposes. Even with this we must be aware of potential threats to our privacy. As biotechnology and computer technology advance, substantial privacy issues will continue to arise.… Read More Confidentiality: Genetic Privacy

New AI-Powered Cameras Pose Privacy Concerns for Drivers and the Average American

Recently, Amazon has installed cameras into nearly 30,000 delivery vans across America to monitor their drivers and improve driver safety. Though Amazon representatives claim that an AI software only records when it senses a problem, it is not clear how much of a driver’s day or activity in residential neighborhoods is being recorded in actuality. The addition of these cameras into Amazon delivery vans raises concerns of the drivers over their privacy in the workplace and could threaten the privacy of average Americans while carrying out daily activities.… Read More New AI-Powered Cameras Pose Privacy Concerns for Drivers and the Average American

Not-So Incognito: Collection of Your Private Internet Browsing History

A federal judge denied the request to throw out a class-action suit alleging that Google secretly scoops up troves of internet data, even if users browse in “Incognito” mode. In the ongoing case of Brown v. Google LLC, the plaintiffs argue that Google did not notify users that Google engages in the alleged data collection while the user is in private browsing mode, though Google argues that the plaintiffs consented to its privacy policy. With the increase in consumer data collection and uncertainty around how/when this data is being used, federal legislation, like the California Consumer Privacy Act, requiring data use disclosure may be the best method to offer users this kind of data autonomy. … Read More Not-So Incognito: Collection of Your Private Internet Browsing History

Love in a Pandemic: What COVID has Done to Online Dating

Since March of 2020, the desire for human connection and a significant other during the pandemic has increased. Individuals, some for the first time, turned to virtual dating this year when the usual ways of meeting people disappeared amidst a pandemic. Dating in the COVID-19 era become simpler in some ways, yet, in addition to the regular fears of rejection, there is now a fear of getting an infection, getting “catfished”, or having your private information stolen. … Read More Love in a Pandemic: What COVID has Done to Online Dating

Crypto Crime: The Treasury Department Takes a Stand Against Illicit Activity Involving Digital Currency

Brief Description: Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency that allows it’s users to purchase items online ranging from hotels on Expedia to videogames. Instead of having money in a bank, individuals are able to keep their currency in a digital wallet. Bitcoins are pseudonymous. However, there are methods for identifying bitcoin users. Bitcoin mixers were created in an attempt to thwart the identification of bitcoin users and help to ensure that their personal data stays private.… Read More Crypto Crime: The Treasury Department Takes a Stand Against Illicit Activity Involving Digital Currency

Legal Industry Confronts Technological Challenges Through Global Legal Hacking

This blog describes the Global Legal Hackathon event and how the event helps the legal industry take a much-needed giant step into the digital age. The blog examines how collaboration across various industries plays an integral role in confronting various technological challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the legal industry in general.… Read More Legal Industry Confronts Technological Challenges Through Global Legal Hacking