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    Oct. 7, 2026

Dividing Lines Emerge in CIPA Rulings As California Reforms the Law

California has enacted Senate Bill 690 (SB 690) to block the torrent of demand letters and lawsuits alleging that the nation’s websites have violated a California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) provision covering pen register devices. As SB 690 eliminates one category of claims, recent court decisions are simultaneously raising the pleading burden for the CIPA theories that remain available. Together, these developments may reshape both plaintiff strategy and defense leverage. This article, with insights from litigation parters at Baker Donelson, Duane Morris and Manatt, examines how SB 690 may alter the CIPA litigation landscape; reviews recent court decisions that are drawing clearer lines on standing, consent and class certification; and provides practical guidance for mitigating litigation and regulatory risk. See our two-part series “CIPA Jury Verdict Against Meta”: Privacy Litigation Strategies and Lessons (Sep. 3, 2025), and Compliance Takeaways and the Wiretap Litigation Landscape (Sep. 24, 2025).

Preparing for California’s ADMT Rules

Companies have little time left to determine whether their automated tools fall within the scope of California's sweeping automated decision-making technology (ADMT) regulations and to prepare for new compliance obligations taking effect in 2027. The regulations extend beyond traditional AI systems to a broad range of automated decision-making tools and impose new requirements related to risk assessments, transparency and consumer rights. This article explores the regulations’ application, key compliance steps, areas of uncertainty and litigation implications, distilling insights offered by privacy and AI counsel at CalPrivacy, Harvey AI, Goodwin Procter and DataGrail during a recent IAPP webinar. See “Updating Compliance Programs to Address the CPPA’s Regulations on ADMT and Risk Assessments” (Sep. 17, 2025).

Navigating the Evolving Age Assurance Market

Age assurance is rapidly becoming a core compliance, privacy and trust issue as regulators around the world impose new requirements on online platforms and services to protect minors. The age assurance market is expanding quickly, driven by evolving laws, child-safety concerns and growing expectations that companies can verify users’ ages without collecting excessive PI. This article, distilling insight offered during a recent webinar presented by Biometric Update and Goode Intelligence, examines the forces driving adoption, key regulatory developments, practical considerations for evaluating age assurance vendors and the growing role of digital identification wallets in the future of age verification. See “$17‑Billion Meta Pact Offers Compliance Guidance With Implications Across Industries” (Sep. 30, 2026).

Reed Smith Welcomes Emerging Technologies Partner in Chicago

Reed Smith has welcomed Kate Campbell as a partner in its global corporate group and emerging technologies group. She arrives from Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg. For insights from Reed Smith, see “Managing Privacy Across the Cross-Border M&A Lifecycle” (Sep. 16, 2026); and “Managing Data Transfers After Latombe” (Oct. 8, 2025).

Technology Transactions Corporate Partner Rejoins Akin in New York

Neil DuChez has rejoined Akin as a corporate partner focused on U.S.-based technology transactions. Based in New York, he arrives from Goldman Sachs. For insights from Akin, see “European Commission Guidance Sheds Light on CRA Scope and Compliance Obligations” (Sep. 9, 2026); and “Anthropic’s Mythos Model Forces Companies to Regroup for a New Cyber Era” (Apr. 22, 2026).

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