Privacy concerns have resurfaced with mounting urgency as significant events unfold on several fronts, involving government policies, corporate accountability, and individual actions. Recently, Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) initiated a reform effort for the Privacy Act of 1974, motivated by alarming reports that unauthorized personnel were allegedly allowed access to sensitive personal data, raising comparisons to previous privacy scandals.
In a statement, Trahan emphasized, "Unaccountable billionaires, inexperienced programmers and unvetted political appointees are perpetrating the biggest government privacy scandal since Watergate." This effort is aimed not only at reshaping how the federal government handles privacy but also at engaging the public in discussions about the need to balance privacy with other governmental priorities. Questions Trahan is calling for feedback on include how the government can leverage privacy-enhancing technologies and what risks artificial intelligence (AI) poses to privacy issues.
The Privacy Act was originally established in response to the Watergate scandal, yet Trahan highlighted that the evolution of technology necessitates a comprehensive reevaluation of the law. Echoing these sentiments, Ann Lewis, former director of the General Services Administration’s Technology Transformation Services, stated that "the Privacy Act lacks necessary provisions to address modern challenges presented by national-scale data breaches, widespread adoption of AI..."
Simultaneously, in the realm of corporate responsibilities, TrueLaw, a Legal AI startup based in New York, has achieved both SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA compliance. This certification places TrueLaw at the forefront of ensuring privacy and security in legal AI applications. Arunim Samat, CEO of TrueLaw, expressed pride in this milestone, stating, "Achieving SOC 2 Type II certification & HIPAA compliance are significant milestones... our unwavering commitment to securing our clients’ data."
This kind of compliance is crucial, especially in the legal industry that deals frequently with sensitive client information. TrueLaw's services extend across various legal practice areas, reaffirming that robust privacy measures are essential for client trust.
However, not all developments in privacy legislation have the same encouraging sentiment. Recent changes in the United Kingdom have raised alarms globally as the UK government compelled Apple to create a backdoor in its encryption protocols, allowing government access to encrypted phone data. Instead of conceding, Apple has decided to withdraw a valuable data protection tool from the UK market, affecting approximately 35 million users who can no longer utilize the Advanced Data Protection feature. Apple has persistently maintained its stance against creating backdoors, stating, "As we have said many times before, we have never built a backdoor or master key to any of our products or services, and we never will," expressing disappointment over the UK government’s demands.
This action, part of a broader issue concerning encryption and governmental access to private data, could have global repercussions, particularly as experts warn that similar demands could arise from other nations, including the United States under the ongoing influence of the so-called Five Eyes alliance. David Ruiz, a data and privacy expert, stressed that the UK’s decision could lead to a "policy earthquake," with severe implications for privacy standards worldwide.
Meanwhile, the private sphere has also experienced serious privacy violations. On March 18, 2025, Xie Guangjun, a vice president at Baidu, publicly apologized after revelations that his 13-year-old daughter was involved in online harassment and doxing behaviors on social media. Using the handle "Your Eyes Are the World’s Smallest Lake," his daughter allegedly shared private information of over 100 individuals, embarrassing the victims and igniting public outrage.
In his heartfelt apology, Xie admitted, "I had failed as a father to guide my daughter in respecting and protecting both her own and others’ privacy." The incident sparked debates about internet safety, particularly around minors' activities. Despite his pleas asking for compassion toward his daughter as a minor, the seriousness of the actions was undisputed.
Overall, these events reflect a complex interplay of responsibilities surrounding privacy—between governments, corporations, and individuals. As the need for robust privacy protections grows more critical than ever, authorities and consumers alike must remain vigilant. With technology continually advancing, the discussions and decisions made today will shape the future of personal data privacy.
