Hacker News with Generative AI: Legislation

Site-Blocking Legislation Is Back (eff.org)
More than a decade ago, Congress tried to pass SOPA and PIPA—two sweeping bills that would have allowed the government and copyright holders to quickly shut down entire websites based on allegations of piracy. The backlash was immediate and massive. Internet users, free speech advocates, and tech companies flooded lawmakers with protests, culminating in an “Internet Blackout” on January 18, 2012. Turns out, Americans don’t like government-run internet blacklists. The bills were ultimately shelved.
Internet Censorship, Legislation, Free Speech
5 points by wbread011 8 hours ago | 1 comments
From April 1, Indian govt can see your WhatsApp messages, emails (wionews.com)
From the next financial year, which begins on April 1, the tax authorities of India can access your account on communication platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram and emails under the provisions of the Income Tax Bill, 2025.
India, Privacy, Government, Tax, Legislation
21 points by shahriarhus 6 days ago | 1 comments
California bill aims to phase out harmful ultra-processed foods in schools (thenewlede.org)
As states across the country move to ban food dyes, California lawmakers on March 19 introduced the first US bill that would phase out certain ultra-processed foods from school meals.
Food Policy, Health, Legislation, California, Schools
126 points by PaulHoule 6 days ago | 173 comments
California bill would force ISPs to offer 100Mbps plans for $15 a month (arstechnica.com)
A proposed state law in California would force Internet service providers to offer $15 monthly plans to people with low incomes.
California, Affordable Internet, Policy, Legislation
17 points by pseudolus 10 days ago | 7 comments
Sen. Durbin's proposed legislation would stifle free speech online (suntimes.com)
The Sun-Times is free but the journalism is not. Reader support powers the news. Here's how you can help.
Politics, Legislation, Free Speech, Social Media
6 points by healsdata 11 days ago | 0 comments
UK Online Safety Act template for Fediverse instances (onlinesafetyact.co.uk)
Again, a major change: I am not confident a conclusion that my own, personal, self-hosted, Mastodon instance is out of scope of the OSA.
Online Safety, Legislation, Social Media, Decentralization
4 points by pmlnr 16 days ago | 0 comments
Trump Derangement Syndrome (revisor.mn.gov)
A bill for an act relating to mental health; modifying the definition of mental illness; adding a definition for Trump Derangement Syndrome; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 245.462, subdivision 20, by adding a subdivision; 245I.02, subdivision 29, by adding a subdivision.
Politics, Mental Health, Legislation
64 points by croes 17 days ago | 34 comments
Meta is trying to offload kids safety onto app stores with new bills says Google (theverge.com)
Google has its own ideas about what kids online safety legislation should look like.
Online Safety, Legislation, Google, Meta, App Stores
7 points by mooreds 21 days ago | 1 comments
Google's legislative proposal for keeping kids safe online (google)
Legislation pushed by Meta would share kids' information with millions of developers without parental consent or rules on how it's used; we have a better way.
Privacy, Online Safety, Legislation, Children, Social Media
8 points by gnabgib 21 days ago | 0 comments
NY lawmakers push to make Daylight Saving Time permanent (syracuse.com)
Two New York state lawmakers are pushing to make Daylight Saving Time permanent.
Politics, New York, Time, Legislation
3 points by geox 22 days ago | 4 comments
Mississippi Passes Bill Banning Lab-Grown Meat (wired.com)
The Mississippi House of Representatives just passed a bill banning cultivated meat. This makes Mississippi the third state to outlaw meat grown in vats from small samples of animal cells.
Agriculture, Food Technology, Law, Legislation, Mississippi
17 points by pseudolus 23 days ago | 10 comments
Take It Down Act: A Flawed Attempt to Protect Victims That'll Lead to Censorship (eff.org)
Congress has begun debating the TAKE IT DOWN Act (S. 146), a bill that seeks to speed up the removal of a troubling type of online content: non-consensual intimate imagery, or NCII. In recent years, concerns have also grown about the use of digital tools to alter or create such images, sometimes called deepfakes.
Legislation, Online Content, Censorship, Privacy
119 points by archagon 26 days ago | 38 comments
Apple has 90 days to allow app sideloading in Brazil (theverge.com)
Apple has been told it has to allow alternative app stores on iOS in Brazil within 90 days, as reported by Brazilian publication Valor International and 9to5Mac.
Apple, Brazil, Legislation, App Stores
89 points by soapdog 26 days ago | 37 comments
Brazilian court gives Apple 90 days to allow sideloading on iOS (9to5mac.com)
After the EU forced Apple to implement major changes to how iOS and the App Store work for European users, other countries have also conducted their own antitrust investigations against the company. Now the Brazilian court has ruled that Apple has 90 days to allow sideloading on iOS for iPhone users in Brazil.
Antitrust, iOS, Apple, Brazil, Legislation
15 points by tech234a 27 days ago | 0 comments
Utah becomes the first state to pass an app store age verification bill (theverge.com)
Utah became the first state in the country to pass legislation requiring app store operators to verify users’ ages and require parental consent for minors to download apps.
Legislation, App Stores, Privacy, Children, Technology
6 points by owendarko 28 days ago | 0 comments
The "Take It Down" Act (eff.org)
We've opposed the Take It Down Act because it could be easily manipulated to take down lawful content that powerful people simply don't like. Last night, President Trump demonstrated he has a similar view on the bill. He wants to sign the bill into law, then use it to remove content about — him. And he won't be the only powerful person to do so.
Politics, Censorship, Free Speech, Law, Legislation
152 points by panarky 28 days ago | 99 comments
Why did the US let a child safety bill for social media die? (theguardian.com)
When Congress adjourned for the holidays in December, a landmark bill meant to overhaul how tech companies protect their youngest users had officially failed to pass.
Social Media, Child Safety, Legislation, Politics
23 points by PaulHoule 28 days ago | 64 comments
Trump calls for repealing the CHIPS Act (nytimes.com)
President Trump, delivering an address to a joint session of Congress six weeks into his second term, described the country he inherited from former President Joseph R. Biden Jr. as overrun by violent immigrants and crushed under high prices. He lauded the flurry of action he has taken so far, adding that he was “just getting started.”
Politics, US Politics, Government, Legislation
25 points by osnium123 29 days ago | 8 comments
JPN Govt to Consider Blocking Access to Online Casino Sites (yomiuri.co.jp)
The Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry will consider such measures as blocking access to websites hosting online casinos after discussing the matter with experts and others, it was learned Friday.
Gambling, Japan, Legislation, Online Gaming
5 points by enpera 31 days ago | 0 comments
Bitcoin Reserve Bills Are Failing in Quick Succession in States (bloomberg.com)
While the push for state governments to hold digital assets in one way or another generated momentum earlier this year, crypto reserve bills in four states have failed over the last month.
Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, Finance, Legislation, Government
20 points by ryan_j_naughton 34 days ago | 18 comments
Second US Site Blocking Bill Introduced (torrentfreak.com)
A renewed attempt to introduce site blocking in the U.S. emerged in late January when U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D) introduced the Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act.
Legislation, Internet Censorship, Copyright
43 points by ls612 35 days ago | 10 comments
Bill Attempts to Stop Mystery Drones from Flying over Sensitive Areas (cowboystatedaily.com)
A bill that would attempt to stop mystery drones from flying over sensitive areas around Wyoming is nearing the finish line. Meanwhile, a state House committee heard Monday that giant SUV-sized drones are still being spotted.
Drones, Legislation, Wyoming, Security, Government
4 points by LinuxBender 36 days ago | 0 comments
Right to Repair laws have now been proposed in all U.S. states (ifixit.com)
With the introduction of a bill in Wisconsin, Right to Repair legislation has now been introduced in every single US state.
Legislation, Consumer Rights, Technology, United States
502 points by LorenDB 37 days ago | 160 comments
Texas Lawmakers Scramble to Stop Solar Energy but It Just Keeps Coming (cleantechnica.com)
Last year was another banner year for solar energy in Texas, and 2025 is heading for more of the same despite the persistent threat of anti-renewable legislation.
Solar Energy, Texas, Renewable Energy, Legislation
12 points by miles 37 days ago | 4 comments
Electronic devices used for car thefts set to be banned (bbc.co.uk)
Sophisticated electronic devices used by criminals to steal cars are set to be banned under new laws in England and Wales.
Crime, Security, Technology, Legislation
47 points by zeristor 39 days ago | 76 comments
Utah bill aims to make officers disclose AI-written police reports (eff.org)
A bill headed to the Senate floor in Utah would require officers to disclose if a police report was written by generative AI.
Artificial Intelligence, Law Enforcement, Transparency, Utah, Legislation
136 points by hn_acker 39 days ago | 23 comments
As private equity invests in child care, Colorado lawmakers seek guardrails (denverpost.com)
As private equity invests in child care, Colorado lawmakers seek guardrails
Private Equity, Child Care, Colorado Politics, Legislation
28 points by ctoth 39 days ago | 3 comments
Forum with 2.6M posts being deleted due to UK Online Safety Act (hexus.net)
With the impeding full implementation of the 2023 online safety act, it looks like HEXUS forums will have to close, or at least downgrade to read only.
Online Safety, Legislation, Forums, Censorship, UK
273 points by jonatron 39 days ago | 288 comments
WhatsApp, Signal Sign letter against UK privacy bill, say they will not comply (2023) (cnet.com)
Signal, WhatsApp and other encrypted chat apps have come together to sign a letter warning of privacy risks associated with the UK's new online safety bill.
Privacy, Messaging Apps, Legislation, UK
77 points by toss1 40 days ago | 18 comments
Wyden Releases Draft Bill to Secure Americans' Communications (senate.gov)
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today released a discussion draft of the Global Trust in American Online Services Act to secure Americans’ communications against abusive foreign demands to weaken the security of communications services and software used by Americans.
Privacy, Cybersecurity, Legislation
140 points by commandersaki 47 days ago | 28 comments