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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 2d

Read CDT’s blog on the confusing, dangerous rules around digital searches: cdt.org/insights/no-... cc: CDT’s @jakelaperruque.bsky.social

No Warrants and Half a Dozen Different Rules: The Convoluted and Dangerous Status of the Border Search Exception

This is the second in a series of blog posts regarding Customs and Border Protection searches of digital devices. Imagine you live in the western United States and are planning a vacation to Europe, returning with a connecting flight somewhere on the east coast. When you arrive in the U.S., the government may invoke the […]

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 2d

A Massachusetts immigration attorney had his phone seized by border agents — no warrant required. Cases like this show why the “border search exception” is ripe for abuse. www.miamiherald.com/...

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 2d

Each is essential to ensure AI systems further agencies’ missions—without harming the people public benefits are meant to support.
Read more:

Rethinking the Loop: Encircling Public Benefits AI with Human Oversight

Report is also authored by Kevin De Liban Acknowledgements This report was co-authored by the Benefits Tech Advocacy Hub and CDT. This report was informed by a workshop designed to solicit the expertise of advocates, government officials, legal and technical experts, and recipients of public benefits. Their contributions were invaluable to the creation of the […]

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 2d

We outline five key components agencies need to get it right. 👇

✅ Inclusive engagement
✅ Enabling conditions for oversight
✅ Adequate resourcing
✅ Tools & frameworks for oversight
✅ Training & information

Rethinking the Loop: Encircling Public Benefits AI with Human Oversight

Report is also authored by Kevin De Liban Acknowledgements This report was co-authored by the Benefits Tech Advocacy Hub and CDT. This report was informed by a workshop designed to solicit the expertise of advocates, government officials, legal and technical experts, and recipients of public benefits. Their contributions were invaluable to the creation of the […]

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 2d

ICYMI: Our report, Rethinking the Loop, digs into what effective human oversight of public benefits AI really looks like.

Rethinking the Loop: Encircling Public Benefits AI with Human Oversight

Report is also authored by Kevin De Liban Acknowledgements This report was co-authored by the Benefits Tech Advocacy Hub and CDT. This report was informed by a workshop designed to solicit the expertise of advocates, government officials, legal and technical experts, and recipients of public benefits. Their contributions were invaluable to the creation of the […]

cdt.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 2d

🚨 Ticket sales for #TechProm2025 close today! 🚨

Don’t miss CDT’s biggest celebration of the year—an evening of inspiration, connection, & impact in support of civil rights and civil liberties in the digital age.

📅 Oct 23 | 🕕 6–10 PM | 📍 The LINE DC
🎟️ Grab your spot: cdt.org/event/2025-t...

Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 2d

As part of this year’s #FOSO2025 conference, don’t miss @ashkhen.bsky.social, India McKinney, @rude1.blacksky.team & Ryan Carroll as they unpack Section 230’s misunderstood legacy and its role in protecting users worldwide. 10/28 @ 1pm ET: standtogether.swoogo...

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 2d

Free expression online faces new challenges—from AI to government pressure on platforms. At this year’s #FutureOfSpeechOnline 2025, experts will explore what’s at stake for speech in the digital age.

🗓️ Oct 28 & 29 | 🕛 12–3pm ET
🎟️ standtogether.swoogo...

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 3d

“This shift in policy also signals a change in the US’ stance on internet freedom globally. Once a global leader in championing individual rights & freedoms, the US is now peer to nations w/ authoritarian surveillance regimes, getting closer to actors that are not respectful of individual rights.”

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 3d

NEW BLOG: CDT Intern Bhavana Bheem compares the govt’s social media monitoring policies to practices in Indonesia, Turkey, the UAE & China, showing how they can become a tool for surveillance, self-censorship, & social control — putting freedom of expression at real risk.

Echoes of Authoritarianism: A Comparative Study of US Social Media Monitoring for Immigration with Global Parallels

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 3d

Read the full report from CDT’s Elizabeth Laird, Maddy Dwyer, and Hannah Quay-de la Vallee:

Hand in Hand: Schools’ Embrace of AI Connected to Increased Risks to Students

Artificial intelligence (AI) has continued to alter the educational experiences of teachers, students, and parents during the 2024-25 school year. The frequency and variety of AI uses continues to grow; at the same time, the increased use of AI in educational settings is correlated with heightened risks to students. This report details the current status […]

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 3d

"’This technology is a new vector for sexual harassment and bullying, which were long-standing issues [before widespread use of AI],’ [CDT’s] Laird says, ‘and this has become a new way to exacerbate that.’” www.npr.org/2025/10/...

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 3d

CDT’s Elizabeth Laird: "I think students should know that they are not actually talking to a person. They are talking to a tool, and those tools have known limitations. Our research suggests that the AI literacy and the training that students are getting are very basic." www.npr.org/2025/10/...

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 3d

NPR spotlights new CDT research: “New survey data finds that nearly 1 in 5 high schoolers say they or someone they know has had a romantic relationship with artificial intelligence. And 42% of students surveyed say they or someone they know have used AI for companionship.” www.npr.org/2025/10/...

Illustration from a from NPR headline titled “1 in 5 high schoolers has had a romantic AI relationship or knows someone who has.” Figures sitting back to back, engaging on digital devices, one in shadow.

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Reposted by Center for Democracy & Technology

Jake Laperruque @jakelaperruque.bsky.social · 3d

Rules for warrantless border searches of electronic devices have become complex and convoluted - you can @cdt.org analysis if you want to see the full legal landscape of what rules apply at each airport across the country:
cdt.org/insights/no-...

Map titled “Judicial Requirements of ‘Forensic Searches’ When Crossing the Border.” Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington are marked in light blue, denoting “Reasonable Suspicion of Digital Contraband.” Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia are marked in teal, denoting “Reasonable Suspicion of Ongoing Border-Crimes.” Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island are marked in dark blue, denoting “Reasonable Suspicion of Border-Crimes.” Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota are marked in orange, denoting “No Suspicion Required.” The remaining states are marked in grey, denoting “No Clear Rule.”

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 3d

CDT’s Harper: “What we learned from consultants is that they expect more pressure to use AI more aggressively for persuasion, for targeting and messaging, for creating video, audio & image generations. The interest of staying competitive might push campaigns to push boundaries.”

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 3d

“@tharper.bsky.social, a senior policy analyst at CDT, said that early polling led by his organization suggests that political consultants across the political spectrum, who in recent years were hesitant to use AI, might be more open to the technology.”

Political Strategists Are Embracing AI

As campaigns face pressure to produce ads that pop in a crowded media environment, they’re turning to artificial intelligence to gain attention.

www.notus.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 3d

The letter urges Ireland’s Minister for Justice to abandon any plans to weaken #encryption and to reconsider Ireland’s support for the EU’s “Chat Control” proposal, which similarly threatens secure and private communication. Strong encryption is essential the protection of human rights online.

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 3d

The Center for Democracy & Technology has joined an open letter that includes members of the Global #Encryption Coalition and other cybersecurity experts raising serious concerns about Ireland’s proposal to mandate law enforcement access to encrypted messaging services. cdt.org/insights/cdt...

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 4d

CDT Senior Technologist @npdoty.techpolicy.social.ap.brid.gy currently chairs the Privacy Working Group at the W3C, where GPC is being standardized – more on why that process is so important and continues to be a focus of CDT’s work:

It’s Time to Standardize the Global Privacy Control

CDT Policy Fellow Cami Goray also contributed to this post. Think of the number of times your website browsing experience has been interrupted by a cookie banner request for your consent to tracking. If you’ve felt frustrated by the need to jump through hoops before the chance to even access a website, you are not […]

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 4d

CDT’s @nathaliemarechal.net: “This should send a signal to the technical community, which is currently working through the W3C to standardize the Global Privacy Control [GPC], that policymakers are eager to integrate universal opt-out mechanisms into their jurisdictions’ privacy protections.”

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 4d

CDT’s @nathaliemarechal.net: “It’s important that we continue to expand these rules to tools beyond browsers, but California’s move is a common-sense step in the right direction.”

Meaningful Opt-Out Rights Require Companies to Do Their Part. State Governments Might Have to Make Them.

Update: CDT submitted a letter on March 7, 2025 to the California State Assembly’s Committee on Consumer Protection in support of AB 566, which requires vendors of web browsers and mobile operating systems to include a setting that enables users to send an automated signal to businesses with which they interact through their browser or […]

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 4d

CDT’s @nathaliemarechal.net: “Ensuring that your privacy preferences are known should not be a difficult or confusing task, and this bill ensures that the ability to universally opt-out of unwanted data sales is accessible and understandable."

Meaningful Opt-Out Rights Require Companies to Do Their Part. State Governments Might Have to Make Them.

Update: CDT submitted a letter on March 7, 2025 to the California State Assembly’s Committee on Consumer Protection in support of AB 566, which requires vendors of web browsers and mobile operating systems to include a setting that enables users to send an automated signal to businesses with which they interact through their browser or […]

cdt.org

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 4d

CDT applauds the signing today of AB 566 into law, which empowers Californians to exercise their existing privacy rights through their browsers.

Governor Newsom signs data privacy bills to protect tech users | Governor of California

State of California

www.gov.ca.gov

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Center for Democracy & Technology @cdt.org · 4d

CDT’s Elizabeth Laird: “As many hype up the possibilities for AI to transform education, we cannot let the negative impact on students get lost in the shuffle:”

CDT Survey Research Finds Use of AI in K-12 Schools Connected to Negative Effects on Students, Including Their Real-Life Relationships

New data shows that half of students agree that using AI in class makes them feel less connected to their teacher, and one in five students report that they or someone they know has had a romantic relationship with AI (WASHINGTON, DC) — The Center for Democracy & Technology today released new survey research revealing […]

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