Deliberations Begin on the Amendment to the Israeli Privacy Protection Law

The Israeli Parliament’s Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee commenced its deliberations on the 14th amendment to the Israeli Privacy Protection (PPL). The comprehensive amendment seeks to revise the definitions of some of the PPL’s key terms, expand the Privacy Protection Authority’s (PPA) enforcement powers, and downscale the antiquated obligation to register databases with the PPA.

The two sessions held ...

European Council Adopts the Data Governance Act

The European Council announced that it has approved the Data Governance Act, aimed at improving the availability of data and promoting data sharing between individuals, the private sector, and the public sector. The Act will enter into force within 15 months.

The Act establishes mechanisms for the safe reuse of certain categories of public-sector data (which complement the 2019 Open ...

U.S. DoJ Revises Prosecutorial Guidelines for the CFAA

A revision to the U.S. Department of Justice’s guidelines on prosecuting violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) emphasizes that those conducting security research in good faith will not be prosecuted, even where their activities amount to accessing computers “without authorization” under the CFAA. Yet the policy clarifies that asserting to be engaged in security research is not ...

The UK to Promote a Reform in Data Protection Regime

The UK government announced that it will promote a data reform bill, intended to create a data protection framework and data rights regime that reduces the burdens on businesses (e.g., by reducing limitations on data sharing by public bodies to improve their services), boosting the economy, and promoting innovation; modernize the Information Commissioner’s Office and expand its enforcement powers; and ...

Australia: AI System Cannot be a Patent Inventor

A full panel of judges of the Federal Court of Australia ruled that an Artificial Intelligence system is not a “natural person” and therefore cannot be named the inventor on a patent application, even if the invention was derived from it. The decision was delivered in an appeal on Dr. Stephen Thaler’s request to apply for patent protection for his ...

Israeli Population Authority Unlawfully Transferred Biometric Data

A recent report by the Biometric Applications Commissioner reveals that the Population and Immigration Authority has been unlawfully transferring millions of facial images of Israeli residents to an unnamed public agency over the past seven years. According to the report, the facial images were transferred as part of ongoing work processes in the border control system. While the recipient agency ...

EDPB Publishes Draft Guidelines on Use of Facial Recognition Technology in Law Enforcement

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) published for public comments draft guidelines on the use of facial recognition technology (FTR) by law enforcement authorities. According to the EDPB’s draft guidelines, an increasing number of law enforcement authorities use or intend to use FRT for various purposes, including searching for individuals on police watch lists or monitoring individuals’ movements in public ...

Israel: Banks Cannot Causelessly Refuse Transactions Involving Crypto

A new amendment to the Israeli Supervisor of Banks’ directive on money laundering and terror financing risks states that Israeli baking corporations may no longer refuse to provide payment services in transactions merely because they involve cryptocurrency, so long as the cryptocurrency service provider in the transaction is duly licensed to provide services in Israel. The amended directive further states ...