Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan is urging lawmakers to amend a moratorium on the police use of facial recognition technology to allow its assistance in combating child sexual exploitation cases, as reported by VTDigger. The ban, implemented in 2020, currently prohibits law enforcement from utilizing this technology, which Detective Matthew Raymond, commander of Vermont's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, asserts has been crucial in such cases for years. However, Falko Schilling, Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont, has expressed concerns that the proposed revisions do not explicitly forbid the use of software by the police to identify potential suspects.

Vt. attorney general seeks change to facial recognition ban

Vermont's Legislature has approved a ban on the utilization of facial recognition technology by law enforcement, as reported by WCAX. The newly enacted law prohibits police from employing this technology without the explicit consent of the Legislature. The American Civil Liberties Union of Vermont has hailed this development as a "historic win for Vermonters' right to privacy" and a significant stride towards enhancing police accountability and promoting racial justice within the state and beyond.

Vt. Legislature passes facial recognition ban

Chittenden Superior Court in Vermont has ruled that a portion of the lawsuit filed by the Vermont attorney general's office against Clearview AI can proceed, according to Reuters. The court denied Clearview's motion to dismiss charges under Vermont's consumer protection law, but dismissed the attorney general's claims under the state's data broker law. This decision paves the way for further legal action in Vermont's case against Clearview AI's biometric data collection practices.

Court rules Vt. suit against Clearview AI can proceed

Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan has published comprehensive guidance on the state's Security Breach Notice Act, as reported by Vermont Business Magazine. The guidance provides detailed explanations of legal obligations, notice requirements, and updated definitions pertaining to data breaches. Notably, the recently enacted law expands the scope of personally identifiable information to include health or genetic information, user login credentials, and passport numbers. Donovan emphasized the importance of education and outreach in enforcing the law and fostering compliance.

Vt. attorney general publishes data breach law guidance

Vermont Attorney General TJ Donovan was elected in 2016 and is the 26th attorney general of the state. Donovan has many years of experience representing the government, having served as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia and as a Vermont state attorney for Chittenden County for 10 years. As attorney general, he has taken an active role in advocating for consumers’ rights with respect to privacy and data security by engaging with the community on issues of concern and weighing in on state legislation governing data brokers, among other initiatives. In an interview with IAPP, Donovan talks about Vermont’s leadership in data privacy and security regulation and how he and his fellow attorneys general play an important part in shaping the field.

Vermont attorney general talks regulating data brokers, protecting consumers