California to receive largest share of proposed Universal Preschool funds
by Deepa Fernandes , KPCC
California will receive $334 million for the first year to pay for the universal preschool program. The money will cover 90 percent of the state’s first year costs. California would have to chip in 10 percent in the first year, about $34 million. Read More ›
PG&E shorted gas-system safety, audit finds
by Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle
PG & E failed to spend more than $50 million intended to improve the natural gas lines that run through residential neighborhoods in the decade leading up to the San Bruno explosion, and the company has not done enough since the 2010 disaster to make up for shortchanging safety efforts, a state-ordered audit says. Read More ›
iPhones, iPads face U.S. ban as Apple loses ITC case to Samsung
by Diane Bartz, Reuters
Samsung Electronics scored a point on Tuesday over global rival Apple in their long-running battle over mobile device patents. Read More ›
Privatizing UC instruction
by Whitney Phaneuf, East Bay Express
A controversial bill proposes that California public universities partner with private technology companies to provide general education classes online. Read More ›
All drone legislation must meet these three requirements
by Dave Maass, Electronic Frontier Foundation
All but seven states have proposed or adopted legislation relating to the domestic use of drones, or unmanned aerial systems, in domestic airspace, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Now, at the invitation of the Aerospace States Association, EFF has rung in with the three crucial elements that all drone legislation must contain to balance privacy rights with free-speech concerns. Read More ›
California DNA law is broader than program upheld by Supreme Court
by Maura Dolan, Los Angeles Times
The decision upholding the right of authorities to take DNA from people when they are arrested only partially assures that the California DNA collection program will survive court challenges. Read More ›
Supreme Court opens ‘gaping new exception’ to privacy rights
by Ned Resnikoff, MSNBC
Law enforcement officials can take routine DNA samples from those they arrest, the Supreme Court ruled on Monday. A 5-4 majority held that doing so is little different from taking fingerprints, and therefore does not intrude on a suspect’s Fourth Amendment rights. Read More ›
U.S. takes Apple to trial over e-books price-fixing
Apple goes to trial over allegations by federal and state authorities that it conspired with publishers to raise the price of e-books. Read More ›
Bill seeks to ensure privacy as drone use rises
California would take its first steps to protect the public from the increased use of unmanned aircraft under a bill approved by the state Senate. Read More ›
Kohl’s loses appeal in California false-advertising lawsuit
by Rick Romell, Journal Sentinal
A federal appeals court has reinstated a false-advertising lawsuit brought against Kohls Corporation in California. Read More ›
Privacy at stake in state Senate bill
The California Senate should approve consumer online privacy protection legislation to be fair to consumers and to brick-and-mortar stores struggling to compete against online businesses. Read More ›
Bill would require more online retailers to collect sales tax
by Kevin Smith, Los Angeles Daily News
California consumers soon could be paying more for the products they buy online if a proposed federal law is approved. Read More ›
Who has access to your medical records? (Video)
The days of doctor/patient privacy are dwindling as more agencies and companies wield technology to peer into your medical records. Read More ›