Privacy Laws, Data Breach, Meta Bots – 10/18/2025

October 17, 2025

Today’s privacy digest highlights critical developments in data protection and online safety. Key stories include California’s enactment of new privacy laws, the ICO’s significant fine against Capita for a major data breach, and Meta’s new parental controls for AI chatbots. Also featured are practical tips from EFF on minimizing your digital footprint and a warning from UK MPs regarding online misinformation.

Top 5 Critical Privacy Alerts

California Enacts New Privacy Laws: Governor Newsom signed privacy proposals into law, including those for browser opt-outs, social media account deletion, and data brokers. Read more
ICO Fines Capita £14 Million Over 2023 Data Breach: The ICO fined Capita £14 million under the UK GDPR after a 2023 data breach affected over 6 million people. Read more
Parents will be able to block Meta bots from talking to their children under new safeguards: Meta is adding safeguards to teen accounts, letting parents turn off chats with AI characters due to inappropriate conversations. Read more
Opt Out October: Daily Tips to Protect Your Privacy and Security: EFF provides daily tips for October on opting out of tech giant surveillance, covering passwords, data brokers, ad tracking, and app decluttering. Read more
UK MPs warn of repeat of 2024 riots unless online misinformation is tackled: UK MPs warn that failures to tackle online misinformation could trigger a repeat of the 2024 summer riots. Read more

Privacy Laws & Regulations

California Enacts New Privacy Laws: Governor Newsom signed privacy proposals into law, including those for browser opt-outs, social media account deletion, and data brokers. Read more

Regulatory Fines & Enforcement Actions

ICO Fines Capita £14 Million Over 2023 Data Breach: The ICO fined Capita £14 million under the UK GDPR after a 2023 data breach affected over 6 million people. Read more

Opt Out October: Daily Tips to Protect Your Privacy and Security: EFF provides daily tips for October on opting out of tech giant surveillance, covering passwords, data brokers, ad tracking, and app decluttering. Read more
Parents will be able to block Meta bots from talking to their children under new safeguards: Meta is adding safeguards to teen accounts, letting parents turn off chats with AI characters due to inappropriate conversations. Read more

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Director of Software Engineering

Chris Armour

The Breaker & Builder.

Operating on the philosophy that 'you can't build a secure system if you don't know how to break it,' Chris leads our engineering division. A top 1% National Cyber League competitor, he hardens our digital infrastructure against the very exploits he has mastered.