The Halt Abusive Internet Lawsuits Act of 2026 prohibits federal and state legal claims related to wiretapping or eavesdropping when information is collected for commercial digital activities. This applies to practices such as using cookies, pixels, chatbots, and analytics tools to facilitate sales, marketing, or customer interactions. The bill directly affects businesses and service providers that use these standard digital commerce tools by shielding them from specific privacy-related lawsuits. Additionally, any existing legal actions based on these grounds would be required to stop once the law is enacted.
The Flock-Off Act prohibits federal agencies, state and local governments, and other recipients of federal funds from using federal money to purchase, operate, or maintain automated camera systems that capture biometric data or license plate information. The bill requires these entities to remove any existing covered camera systems within 180 days of enactment, with violations resulting in the withholding of further federal funding until reimbursed. Specific exceptions allow for the continued use of such systems within one mile of the U.S. borders for security purposes and on toll roads strictly for toll collection and enforcement.
The NO FAKES Act of 2026 grants individuals and their heirs a new property right to control the creation and use of digital replicas of their voice or visual likeness, preventing unauthorized use in computer-generated media. This right lasts for the individual's lifetime plus 10 years after death, with potential extensions for continued commercial use, and applies to both living and deceased people. Online platforms and companies distributing such content must register with the Copyright Office, remove unauthorized replicas upon receiving valid notices, and face civil penalties of up to $750,000 per work if they fail to comply or knowingly distribute unauthorized replicas. The law also preempts most existing state laws protecting voice and likeness rights, though it preserves protections for sexually explicit content and election-related uses.
This bill, known as the Email Privacy Act, amends existing federal laws to clarify how information about stored emails can be shared and how government agencies can access email content. It requires internet service providers to use the term "disclose" rather than "divulge" when sharing subscriber data and expands the definition of who can receive this information to include agents of the customer. The legislation also changes rules for government warrants by allowing providers to notify customers about the receipt of a warrant unless the government requests otherwise, while maintaining exceptions for communications made public by the sender. Additionally, the bill removes a specific time limit that previously required a warrant for emails stored for less than 180 days, ensuring consistent warrant requirements for all stored communications.
The Kids Off Social Media Act prohibits social media platforms from allowing children under 13 to create accounts and requires them to delete the personal data of any existing accounts belonging to children. It also bans platforms from using personalized recommendation systems to show content to children and teens, except when the system relies only on basic information like device type, language, and location. The Eyes on the Board Act of 2026 requires schools that receive discounted internet subsidies to certify that they block students from accessing social media platforms and monitor their online activities. Together, these measures aim to limit children's access to social media and restrict how platforms use data from young users.
The SOUL Act of 2026 establishes a new federal intellectual property right for U.S. citizens over their "unique likeness," broadly defined to include their name, image, voice, biometric data, and AI-generated digital replicas. This bill grants individuals exclusive control over the reproduction, distribution, and creation of derivative works based on their likeness for their lifetime plus 50 years after death. Owners can seek civil remedies in federal court, including injunctions, content takedown orders, and statutory damages, with harm presumed, while platforms can be held liable for failing to remove unauthorized content after notification. The act includes exceptions for fair use, government activities, and First Amendment protections, and it preempts similar state laws to create a uniform national standard.
The Parents Decide Act requires operating system providers to collect users' dates of birth when setting up accounts and using the system, with parental verification needed for anyone under 18. The bill mandates that app developers be able to access this information to verify user ages and gives parents control over what their minor children can access on their devices. The Federal Trade Commission is tasked with creating specific regulations within 180 days on how to verify parental consent, protect collected data, and implement these requirements, with enforcement through existing FTC unfair practices laws. The provisions take effect one year after enactment, and the FTC must report to Congress on implementation within 18 months.
This bill sets clear limits on class action lawsuits against credit reporting companies for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). For intentional failures to follow FCRA rules, it caps individual damages at $100,000 or 40% of total damages, and total class recovery at $500,000 or 1% of the company’s net worth. For negligent failures, it similarly limits total class recovery to $500,000, 1% of net worth, or 40% of actual damages. These changes directly affect credit bureaus (like Equifax or TransUnion) and creditors handling consumer credit data, preventing excessive damages in class actions. The bill harmonizes existing liability rules by adding specific, predictable financial limits to court awards.
HR 7363, the ICE Out of Our Faces Act, prohibits U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from using facial recognition, voice recognition, or other biometric surveillance technology for immigration enforcement. It directly affects CBP and ICE officers, including those deputized under Section 287(g), by banning the acquisition, possession, or use of such technology within the U.S. The bill requires immediate deletion of all existing biometric data collected by these agencies within 30 days of enactment and makes illegally obtained data inadmissible in court. Individuals harmed by violations can sue the federal government for damages, while officers violating the law face retraining, suspension, or termination.
HR 1188 establishes a federal grant program to help state and local law enforcement agencies purchase body-worn cameras and implement camera programs. To qualify for funding, agencies must adopt public policies on camera use, secure data storage, privacy protections, and strict limits on facial recognition technology (requiring judicial authorization for its use). The bill mandates collecting and reporting demographic data on use-of-force incidents (by race, gender, etc.) and prohibits sharing footage without legal justification. It allocates $30 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2028, with requirements for public policy access, data security, and annual reporting to the federal government.
