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UPDATE: Federal Court Strikes Down Unconstitutional Firearm Registration Regulations in Win for West Virginia
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Aug. 14 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey posted the following news release:
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UPDATE: Federal Court Strikes Down Unconstitutional Firearm Registration Regulations in Win for West Virginia
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UPDATE: Last year, Congress reduced the $200 tax on silencers, short-barreled rifles, shotguns to $0 in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Still, it kept the related federal paperwork, photograph, and fingerprinting requirements for those items.
West Virginia joined other states and gun-rights organizations to challenge those continuing registration requirements.
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CHARLESTON, West Virginia, Aug. 14 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey posted the following news release:
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UPDATE: Federal Court Strikes Down Unconstitutional Firearm Registration Regulations in Win for West Virginia
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UPDATE: Last year, Congress reduced the $200 tax on silencers, short-barreled rifles, shotguns to $0 in the One Big Beautiful Bill. Still, it kept the related federal paperwork, photograph, and fingerprinting requirements for those items.
West Virginia joined other states and gun-rights organizations to challenge those continuing registration requirements.And last week, a federal court issued a permanent injunction that prevents the government from enforcing the registration requirements against the parties to this case. The federal government did not seek to stay the decision, but it remains subject to appeal.
The ruling has caused some confusion. It clearly applies to West Virginia's state agencies, along with the members and customers of the specific organizations and companies involved in the case. It is less clear whether it applies to individual West Virginians beyond those. We are working with other Republican Attorneys General to confirm the scope of the injunction and ensure that it applies to every law-abiding citizen in West Virginia.
For now, our advice is to continue to follow the direction of the ATF. We will provide updates as the case develops. And in the meantime, we will continue to fight for your Second Amendment rights in this case and others.
CHARLESTON, WV -Today, Attorney General JB McCuskey announced a major win for gun owners in West Virginia. A federal judge has ruled in favor of West Virginia and 14 other states in a lawsuit challenging the National Firearms Act (NFA). The decision deems the NFA's burdensome registration regulations of short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, silencers and other firearms no longer valid.
The NFA's required registration of the firearms were only valid as a means of collecting taxes. However, in the One Big Beautiful Bill, the taxes were eliminated. West Virginia joined others in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF to argue that without the taxes, the NFA regulations could no longer be enforced. Today, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas agreed with West Virginia, ruling that without the taxing power, the federal government lost its authority to force gun owners to register their short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, silencers and other firearms. That registration included fingerprinting, submitting photographs, and ATF approval, among other requirements.
"The federal government has long used its taxing power as a backdoor to impose invasive registration mandates on law-abiding citizens. We recognized that once the tax was eliminated, the regulations needed to go too. I am thankful that the court agreed with our arguments as we fought on behalf of gun-owners and the principles of the Second Amendment," Attorney General McCuskey said.
West Virginia joined the lawsuit alongside Texas, Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming, along with a coalition of individuals, gun-rights organizations, and firearms businesses.
Read the ruling here.
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Original text here: https://ago.wv.gov//article/update-federal-court-strikes-down-unconstitutional-firearm-registration-regulations-win
S.D. A.G. Jackley Joins Request in Urging DOJ Not to Appeal Firearm Restrictions Ruling
PIERRE, South Dakota, Aug. 14 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jackley Joins Request in Urging DOJ Not to Appeal Firearm Restrictions Ruling
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley joins eight other Attorneys General in requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice not appeal a Texas federal court decision ruling that the National Firearms Act's registration requirements for short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns, silencers, and other firearms are no longer valid.
South Dakota was one of 14 states to challenge
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PIERRE, South Dakota, Aug. 14 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jackley Joins Request in Urging DOJ Not to Appeal Firearm Restrictions Ruling
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley joins eight other Attorneys General in requesting that the U.S. Department of Justice not appeal a Texas federal court decision ruling that the National Firearms Act's registration requirements for short barreled rifles, short barreled shotguns, silencers, and other firearms are no longer valid.
South Dakota was one of 14 states to challengethe regulations. The Federal Court ruled this month that the NFA's required registration of the firearms were only valid as a means of collecting taxes. But once the taxes were eliminated in the One Beautiful Bill Act, the Court ruled the regulations could no longer be enforced without taxing power.
"We are asking the DOJ to outline for South Dakota and the other plaintiff states the specific steps the ATF will take to ensure this registration activity stops immediately," said Attorney General Jackley. "Gun owners, firearms dealers, and manufacturers need clear reassurance that they are not required to provide any information beyond what federal law already mandates."
The DOJ had until midnight Thursday to request a stay to delay the ruling from going into effect but declined to do so. The DOJ is still reviewing the decision according to published reports.
Other Attorneys Generals who signed the DOJ letter are from Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and Wyoming,
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3137
R.I. A.G. Neronha Urges PUC to Reject Rhode Island Energy's Push for Profits
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Aug. 14 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2026:
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Attorney General Neronha urges PUC to reject Rhode Island Energy's push for profits
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced that his Office has formally completed its advocacy on behalf of Rhode Islanders in Rhode Island Energy's distribution of energy "rate case" before the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), calling on the Commission to reject the Company's attempt to increase its profits while Rhode Islanders increasingly struggle to afford
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PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Aug. 14 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2026:
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Attorney General Neronha urges PUC to reject Rhode Island Energy's push for profits
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced that his Office has formally completed its advocacy on behalf of Rhode Islanders in Rhode Island Energy's distribution of energy "rate case" before the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), calling on the Commission to reject the Company's attempt to increase its profits while Rhode Islanders increasingly struggle to affordenergy costs. In June and July, the Office participated in 17 days of evidentiary hearings advocating on behalf of Rhode Island ratepayers, and recently submitted post-hearing positions to the Commission.
Periodically, Rhode Island Energy must petition the PUC to increase its base distribution rates in a rate review proposal, or a "rate case." According to Rhode Island Energy, a distribution rate case is needed "to reflect what it really costs to deliver safe, reliable energy" and "covers funding for critical infrastructure, better customer service, modern technology, and meeting state requirements." Importantly, distribution rates are also inclusive of the Company's Return on Equity (ROE), or allowed profits, for which the Company is seeking an increase from 9.275% to 10.75%. Overall, Rhode Island Energy is asking the PUC for an increase of more than $200 million in distribution rates for their gas and electric systems in the first year alone, and an additional increase in the second year.
"Rhode Island Energy would have you believe that their primary interest is seeking ways for you to save on your energy bill, but their true motivation is ensuring maximum profits," said Attorney General Neronha. "Rhode Island Energy makes money from investing in infrastructure, which means that their proposed capital investments require careful oversight. Within this rate case, the Company is asking to increase its profit margin to 10.75%. For comparison purposes, the 10-year Treasury yield is 4.63%. And if you think of it in terms of your 401(k), 7% is considered a good return. Investment in capital assets is driven, at least in part, by the opportunity for Rhode Island Energy to earn bigger profits. So, when you hear them talking about necessary investments in capital infrastructure, remember that they have the potential to make a significant profit for every capital investment.
"Rhode Islanders are being crushed under the weight of ever-increasing costs, including everyday items, housing, and of course, energy. For our part, my Office has intervened some 20 times before the Public Utilities Commission and Division of Public Utilities and Carriers fighting for bill credits, lower bill increases, reduced profits for utilities, and smarter longer-term investments that will better position us for a clean energy future. Conversely, Rhode Island Energy has pushed for huge capital spending on natural gas infrastructure, far more than National Grid, and continues to deprioritize climate goals despite clear evidence of the need to transition away from dirty fossil fuels.
"Proposals and decisions made by this company, or any company, which stands to profit from providing a basic necessity must be scrutinized to ensure the right choices are being made for Rhode Islanders, the environment, and generations to come."
In the Office's post-hearing briefs, Attorney General Neronha outlines several recommendations to the PUC including:
* Reject the Company's ROE of 10.75%, and more closely align ROE with the Company's actual cost of capital --below 8.25%;
* End Line Extension Allowances, which subsidize at ratepayer expense the cost for new customers to connect to the gas system and effectively incentivize fossil fuel use over cleaner energy options;
* Address the Company's slow roll of Time of Use electric rate implementation, which would help the environment and save customers money (the Company did not include a Time of Use rate proposal in the rate case, despite saying they would when pitching the benefits of the new smart meters);
* Require careful coordination and integrated planning between gas and electric businesses to achieve climate gains; and
* Ensure Rhode Island Energy's investments are prudent and that they are not wrongly seeking to charge Rhode Islanders for transition costs related to the 2022 sale.
The PUC must make its decision on the rate case by September 1, 2026.
RIAG Energy Advocacy
Advocating for ratepayers has always been a top priority for Attorney General Neronha. In 2022, the Attorney General fought to secure more than $200 million in value for Rhode Island ratepayers, along with mandated steps toward meeting Act on Climate goals, after challenging the approval of the sale of Narragansett Electric by National Grid to PPL Corporation, DBA Rhode Island Energy. The agreement provided for $50 million in ratepayer credits, and $43.5 million in discharge of bill amounts for low-income and protected residential customers, the cost of which would likely have been borne by ratepayers. In addition to this direct ratepayer relief, the Attorney General required that PPL forgo recovery of $103 million from ratepayers: $82 million in costs for new investments it will make as a result of the sale and $21 million of costs already incurred by National Grid.
Since that sale, the Office has regularly sought to hold Rhode Island Energy accountable and advocate for affordable energy prices through proceedings at the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). In September 2022, Attorney General Neronha advocated for the PUC to approve a plan to mitigate Rhode Island Energy's proposed rate changes for electric service, which were slated to take effect October 1, 2022. In February 2023, Attorney General Neronha asked the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to deny approval of a proposed plan submitted by Rhode Island Energy (RIE), where the company sought a 3% increase over the next twelve months in the average annual gas bill, arguing that the plan failed to adequately account for Act on Climate mandates to reduce and eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.
On October 24, 2025, in response to bill credits proposed by Rhode Island Energy that undervalued by between $37 million and $39 million the amount owed to Rhode Island ratepayers following the sale, Attorney General Neronha filed a position paper and supporting expert testimony with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to insist that Rhode Island Energy pay consumers what they are owed. As a result, Rhode Island Energy revoked the proposal.
Additionally, alongside attorneys general across the country, Attorney General Neronha has sued the Trump Administration to protect wind energy, including Revolution Wind, solar energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, and energy and related infrastructure funding, among other actions.
For more information on the Office's energy and environmental advocacy work, as well as Attorney General Neronha's recommendations, please visit our website (https://www.riag.ri.gov/about-our-office/divisions-and-units/civil-division/public-protection/environment-energy).
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Original text here: https://riag.ri.gov/press-releases/attorney-general-neronha-urges-puc-reject-rhode-island-energys-push-profits
N.J. A.G. Davenport Sues Trump Administration for Unlawfully Demanding Personal Information of Drivers
TRENTON, New Jersey, Aug. 14 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2026:
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AG Davenport Sues Trump Administration for Unlawfully Demanding Personal Information of Drivers
Administration Threatens to Withhold $10 Million in Federal Funding Unless Sensitive Information of Millions of Drivers with Commercial Drivers Licenses is Turned Over
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general and the state of Pennsylvania today in filing two lawsuits against the Trump Administration for demanding production
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TRENTON, New Jersey, Aug. 14 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2026:
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AG Davenport Sues Trump Administration for Unlawfully Demanding Personal Information of Drivers
Administration Threatens to Withhold $10 Million in Federal Funding Unless Sensitive Information of Millions of Drivers with Commercial Drivers Licenses is Turned Over
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general and the state of Pennsylvania today in filing two lawsuits against the Trump Administration for demanding productionof a database of state-owned records containing the sensitive personal information of 17 million drivers and threatening to terminate more than $10 million in federal funding to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) if it refuses.
Attorney General Davenport and the coalition filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and AAMVA, as well as an additional related lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The lawsuits claim the DOT, FMCSA, and DHS are violating multiple federal privacy laws by secretly setting up their own database with records extorted from AAMVA, with no guardrails on the use or sharing of drivers' Social Security numbers and other personal information, and no notice to the public. The lawsuits also allege that the demand violates the Administrative Procedure Act because the federal government has no legitimate need to take over this database of state records, and it failed to consult the states before making this drastic change.
The lawsuit alleges that DOT, FMCSA, and DHS are violating multiple federal privacy laws by attempting to secretly set up their own database with records unlawfully obtained from AAMVA. This misuse of sensitive information would have no guardrails on the use or sharing of drivers' Social Security numbers and other personal information, and no notice to the public. The lawsuit also alleges that the demand violates the Administrative Procedure Act because the federal government has no legitimate need to take over this database of state records, and it failed to consult the states before making this drastic change.
"New Jersey has one of the strongest data privacy laws in the country, and we will not allow the Trump Administration to illegally misuse the private information of our residents," said Attorney General Davenport. "We will not allow New Jerseyans' safety or the employment of our CDL drivers to be jeopardized by yet another unlawful request for private data."
In 1986, Congress established the Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) to provide states an efficient means of sharing information about commercial driver's license (CDL) applicants and determining if the applicant is licensed in another state. Since 1988, the DOT has contracted with AAMVA, a private nonprofit organization, to operate CDLIS for the benefit of the states.
To approve a CDL application, states validate the driver's identity, medical fitness, immigration status, and each applicant's licensing and driving history in any state where the driver could have been licensed. This important public safety work is the responsibility of the states, not the federal government. Once a license is issued, states maintain a record in CDLIS of each driver that includes personally identifiable information such as the driver's name, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number, and the name of state that provided the record.
Despite the states owning the data stored in CDLIS, FMCSA sent a letter to AAMVA, making the unprecedented demand that AAMVA turn over data for every driver in CDLIS going back five years. When AAMVA voiced its concerns about the new directive, FMCSA made an explicit threat to terminate all of AAMVA's federal grants and contracts. Shortly after, DHS issued an administrative subpoena to AAMVA demanding the same information. Faced with that threat, which could shut down CDLIS altogether, Attorney General Davenport and the coalition have been compelled to seek an emergency order to prevent the data from being turned over.
This is not the first time the Attorney General has joined multistate coalitions to challenge the Trump Administration's attempts to unlawfully use Americans' personal data for undisclosed purposes, including immigration enforcement. Other cases have challenged the administration's unlawful demands for the personal and sensitive information of millions of people receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits, or those receiving Medicaid benefits.
Joining Attorney General Davenport in filing these lawsuits are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the state of Pennsylvania.
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-sues-trump-administration-for-unlawfully-demanding-personal-information-of-drivers/
Md. A.G. Brown Announces No Charges Will Be Filed in the February 16, 2026 Fatal Police-Involved Use of Force Incident in Baltimore County
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Aug. 14 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Announces No Charges Will Be Filed in the February 16, 2026 Fatal Police-Involved Use of Force Incident in Baltimore County
Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the February 16, 2026 fatal police-involved use of force incident that occurred in Woodlawn, Baltimore County, Maryland.
On Monday, February 16, 2026, at approximately 3:20 a.m., Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) Officer Derek
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Aug. 14 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Announces No Charges Will Be Filed in the February 16, 2026 Fatal Police-Involved Use of Force Incident in Baltimore County
Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the February 16, 2026 fatal police-involved use of force incident that occurred in Woodlawn, Baltimore County, Maryland.
On Monday, February 16, 2026, at approximately 3:20 a.m., Baltimore County Police Department (BCPD) Officer DerekHadel responded to a 911 call reporting a vehicle sitting for a long time at the intersection of Security Boulevard and Whitehead Court in Gwynn Oak, Maryland. Officer Hadel approached the vehicle and observed a man, later identified as Samuel Brown, asleep in the driver's seat. Officer Hadel knocked on the driver's side window to wake up Brown. Officer Hadel told Brown to roll down his window. Brown reached over to the center console and did not roll down his window as instructed but instead turned on his windshield wipers. Officer Hadel opened Brown's door and asked him multiple times to exit the vehicle. Brown refused. Video footage shows that Officer Hadel appeared to forcefully close the vehicle door and walk back to his police cruiser. Brown exited his vehicle and approached the officer. Officer Hadel pushed Brown back and repeatedly told Brown to get back in his vehicle. Brown did not comply. Instead, Brown appeared to slap twice at Officer Hadel's hand, and he continued to approach the officer. Officer Hadel punched Brown in the face. Brown fell and his head struck the ground. Officer Hadel requested emergency medical services (EMS) and rendered medical aid to Brown until EMS arrived. EMS transported Brown to the hospital. After eleven days at the hospital, Brown was pronounced dead on February 27, 2026.
The Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division (IID) began investigating the fatal police-involved use of force incident on Monday, February 16, 2026, and concluded its investigation on August 10, 2026. After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the subject officer did not commit a crime under Maryland law. Accordingly, the Attorney General has declined to prosecute the subject officer in this case.
A copy of the IID's detailed investigative findings and analysis of relevant legal issues can be found in its declination report.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Announces-No-Charges-Will-Be-Filed-in-the-February-16,-2026-Fatal-Police-Involved-Use-of-Force-Incid.aspx
Del. A.G. Jennings Secures Order Protecting Federal Support for Homelessness Services
DOVER, Delaware, Aug. 14 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release:
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AG Jennings secures order protecting federal support for homelessness services
Attorney General Kathy Jennings and a multistate coalition have won a case challenging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) illegal attempt to cap funding for permanent housing projects that help families facing housing insecurity or experiencing homelessness. Had the coalition not successfully challenged HUD's policy changes, more than 600 Delawareans would have lost their homes.
"The
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DOVER, Delaware, Aug. 14 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release:
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AG Jennings secures order protecting federal support for homelessness services
Attorney General Kathy Jennings and a multistate coalition have won a case challenging the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) illegal attempt to cap funding for permanent housing projects that help families facing housing insecurity or experiencing homelessness. Had the coalition not successfully challenged HUD's policy changes, more than 600 Delawareans would have lost their homes.
"Theefforts of the Trump Administration to break the law and render thousands of people homeless have failed again," said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "It is unconscionable - but at this point, sadly not surprising - that this Administration would go as low as forcing Americans out onto the street in an effort to punish states that did not support the President in the last election. We will continue to protect funding for permanent housing at every possible opportunity."
For more than two decades, HUD has embraced a commitment to permanent housing programs and the Housing First model, which prioritizes rapid placement in permanent housing without requiring people to first meet conditions such as sobriety or a minimum income threshold. The current federal administration has rejected that commitment and undermined the Continuum of Care (CoC) program.
This was the states' second victory this summer against the Trump Administration's attacks on the CoC program. In June, the states won a separate federal case against HUD regarding the agency's decision last year to impose illegal conditions on billions of dollars in funding for 2025 CoC program grants. Those conditions included an attempt to impose a cap on the amount of CoC funds that can support permanent supportive housing and the states' successful challenge to those conditions protected housing for more than 500 Delawareans.
After that cap was struck down as unlawful, HUD changed its tactics. The agency issued a notice of funding opportunity for its 2026 CoC program grants that would have created a $1.3 billion set-aside for new projects prioritizing, among other things, transitional housing. The set-aside would have amounted to a de facto cap on permanent housing. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, that shift threatened housing for at least 97,000 residents of CoC-funded permanent housing across the country, hundreds of whom reside in Delaware.
AG Jennings joined a coalition of states in suing to block these harmful changes. Last week, a federal judge granted critical parts of the coalition's motion for summary judgment, ruling that HUD's set-aside was unlawful and cannot be implemented.
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Original text here: https://news.delaware.gov/2026/08/13/ag-jennings-secures-order-protecting-federal-support-for-homelessness-services/
AG's first-ever Data Privacy Report identifies policy priorities and recommendations
OLYMPIA, Washington, Aug. 14 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release:
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AG's first-ever Data Privacy Report identifies policy priorities and recommendations
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Attorney General Nick Brown today released the first-ever Washington State Attorney General's Data Privacy Report. The report examines how the data economy incentivizes the collection and retention of personal information, the potential harms that result from these incentives - such as data breaches, surveillance, and harassment - and makes recommendations to address these harms by strengthening
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OLYMPIA, Washington, Aug. 14 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release:
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AG's first-ever Data Privacy Report identifies policy priorities and recommendations
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Attorney General Nick Brown today released the first-ever Washington State Attorney General's Data Privacy Report. The report examines how the data economy incentivizes the collection and retention of personal information, the potential harms that result from these incentives - such as data breaches, surveillance, and harassment - and makes recommendations to address these harms by strengtheningprivacy protections, enforcement, and public education.
"Personal information has become one of the most valuable assets in the modern economy. Yet many Washingtonians report having little control over who holds their data or how it is used," Brown said. "I encourage everyone to use this report to help build a more transparent, accountable, secure, and consumer-centered approach to handling personal information across Washington."
The report identifies four recurring concerns in the modern data economy:
* Overcollection and secondary use of personal information
* Weak consent requirements and deceptive design
* The collection and sale of sensitive data
* A lack of transparency in the data-broker industry
Those practices can create significant risks for Washingtonians. In 2025, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) received reports of 209 data breaches affecting more than 8 million Washington residents. More than 80% of the reported breaches exposed Social Security numbers, increasing the risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and impersonation.
A 2025 AGO survey shows that data privacy is a key concern of Washingtonians. Based on responses from over 700 residents in 26 counties, the survey found that 83% of respondents felt they had little or no control over who could access their personal information. Ninety-five percent said there was no circumstance in which they would be comfortable having their information collected, shared, or sold without informed consent.
Based on these findings and follow-up outreach and research, the report recommends action in three areas: strengthening baseline protections for personal data, bolstering privacy enforcement and institutional capacity, and raising the baseline of digital literacy in Washington.
Following the report's publication, the AGO plans to work with consumer advocates and business associations to develop plain-language public resources to explain:
* How personal data is collected, shared, and sold
* How to secure devices, manage privacy settings, understand cookies, and recognize deceptive design practices
* How small businesses can understand their privacy obligations and reduce data security risks
A copy of the Washington State Attorney General's Data Privacy Report is available here.
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Washington's Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state's largest law firm, the Attorney General's Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington's 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
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Original text here: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-s-first-ever-data-privacy-report-identifies-policy-priorities-and