The plaintiffs’ bar has been ramping up lawsuits under the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA) and federal and state wiretapping statutes for years, and the wave is not receding. Tens of thousands of claims have been filed since 2022, with CIPA wiretapping continuing to accelerate in recent months. Meanwhile, plaintiffs are branching out beyond
Fox Rothschild LLP Blogs
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Platform liability after Russmedia: Italian DPA Fines Platform for Allowing Phone Number in Sex Work Ads Without Consent
By Odia Kagan
By Odia Kagan
How far does a platform’s responsibility extend when a user posts someone else’s personal data in a classified ad, especially one involving sensitive subject matter like sex work? The Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante) recently fined online classifieds platform Bakeca S.r.l. after an unknown user published two ads, including an explicit offer…
The AI Workforce Shift Is Here: What In-House Counsel and HR Leaders Need to Know About Lawful Reductions in Force
By Renee Sheyko & Steven Moore
Artificial intelligence is no longer a theoretical disruption—it is actively reshaping how work gets done. Across industries, AI and automation are eliminating entire categories of jobs, from data entry and customer service to back-office processing and content generation. As these tools mature, employers are redesigning workflows, consolidating functions, and eliminating positions altogether.
But employment laws…
What GSA’s New Draft AI Procurement Clause Could Mean for Your GSA Schedule Contract
By Evan Williams & Jaeho Lee
On March 6, 2026, the General Services Administration (“GSA”) published a draft contract clause, GSAR 552.239-7001, “Basic Safeguarding of Artificial Intelligence Systems,” that would establish binding requirements for contractors using artificial intelligence (“AI”) under GSA Multiple Award Schedule (“MAS”) contracts.
The clause is part of a broader federal push to govern AI procurement.[1]…
What Hospitality HR, Operations and Leadership Need to Know About Data Privacy and AI
By Odia Kagan
As hospitality businesses increasingly rely on digital tools, automation, biometrics, and AI‑enabled services, their collection and use of personal data has expanded significantly. With that expansion comes a corresponding rise in legal and regulatory obligations – and risks.
Below are key takeaways from a webinar I presented today with Carolyn D. Richmond on how privacy…
TRUMP America AI Act Bill Sets Direction for Future US AI Regulation
By Odia Kagan
On March 18, 2026, Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the TRUMP AMERICA AI Act: formally, The Republic Unifying Meritocratic Performance Advancing Machine Intelligence by Eliminating Regulatory Interstate Chaos Across American Industry Act. This massive, 291 page bill sets out to establish the first comprehensive federal framework for artificial intelligence regulation in the United States.…
Cutting Ties Without Cutting Corners: Best Practices for Administering Mass Employee Layoffs
By Erika Page
In January 2026, employer layoff plans hit their highest January total since the tail end of the 2008 global financial crisis, according to the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas. United States employers announced 108,435 layoffs for January 2026, up 118% from January 2025. Whatever unpredictable factors—including continued economic uncertainties, the rise of…
AI Chats are not Protected by Privilege
By Sahara Pynes
While not California specific, a first-of-its-kind ruling in federal court establishes that a client’s use of AI-generated chat content is not protected by an attorney-client privilege or work product doctrine. You can find a summary of the case, United States v. Heppner, a criminal securities fraud case, here. This is important because HR professionals,…
Group of U.S. Senators Sound Alarm About State of Federal Tax Enforcement
In the midst of Congressional consideration of the administration’s FY2026 budget request for the Internal Revenue Service (which was ultimately approved on February 3, 2026), a group of U.S. Senators is raising questions about fairness in tax enforcement. Ten Senators, nine Democrats and one Independent, are questioning whether recent workforce reductions and funding decreases are…
What to Know About the Department of Defense’s Review of 8(a) and Small Business Awards
The Department of Defense (DoD) issued a memorandum on January 16, 2026 to announce a two‑stage review of small business set‑aside and 8(a) contract awards over $20 million for possible terminations for convenience. This review is occurring quickly, and contractors should be prepared to understand what DoD is investigating and respond quickly to agency requests.…