California just passed new privacy laws that make account deletion real, expand browser opt out controls, and shine a light on data brokers. Here is what changed, when it starts, and how it affects both users and businesses. On October 8, 2025, California enacted a set of privacy laws that make it easier to delete […]

As of 30 September 2025, Imgur has blocked access from the United Kingdom. If you are in the UK you cannot log in, browse, or upload. Imgur images embedded on other websites will not display for UK visitors. Why did Imgur block the UK? Imgur did not publish a legal memo alongside the block, only […]

Too Young to Scroll? The Debate Over Age Restrictions on Social Media Social media has become the defining communication tool of the modern age. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are central to how people connect, share news, and even learn about the world. Yet many of the most active users are children and teenagers, […]

Australia is rolling out a national rule that blocks under-16s from using mainstream social platforms starting in December, called the Online Safety Amendment Bill & targeting the Online Safety Act, legislated in 2021. The law passed in November 2024 and is being watched globally, with leaders in New York praising Australia’s approach during UN events, […]

In short: Police in the UK continue to arrest people for online posts that are reported as threatening, harassing, or grossly offensive. Cases are commonly brought under communications and public order laws, including offenses tied to harassment, malicious communications, and hate incidents. Arrests often begin with a user report, followed by platform referrals or local […]

Social media platforms have gone from being casual hangouts to global powerhouses that shape the way people think, vote, shop, and communicate. Billions of users log in to share opinions, consume information, and interact with communities that transcend borders. In many ways, these platforms now serve as the digital public square. But with this level […]

Children’s data and AI FTC opens 6(b) inquiry into AI companion chatbots September 11, 2025 The Federal Trade Commission issued compulsory 6(b) orders to seven firms that run consumer AI chatbots, seeking details on testing for youth harms, guardrails for teen use, data handling, and monetization practices. Sources are listed at the end of this […]

All foreign nationals applying for student and educational visas must now undergo social media and online presence vetting. According to a leaked cable obtained by POLITICO, consular officers are now directed to scour the internet for signs of what they deem as “hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions or founding principles of the United […]

If you wanted to design the perfect identity-theft jackpot, you would build a single file that stores names, SSNs, dates of birth, citizenship, parent names, and more. That file exists inside the Social Security Administration. It is called NUMIDENT. A whistleblower says DOGE-affiliated officials created a cloud copy of it with weaker protections than normal, […]

Definition of Social Media Footprint A social media footprint is the sum of all the activity, content, and data linked to your presence on social platforms. Every comment, like, share, video upload, private message, profile update, and even your connections contribute to this footprint. Some of it is public and easy for others to find. […]