Still a bar, not a solid wall.

https://pogowasright.org/maryland-privacy-crackdown-raises-bar-for-disclosure-compliance/

Maryland Privacy Crackdown Raises Bar for Disclosure Compliance

Michael Canty, Carol Villegas, and Danielle Izzo of Labaton Sucharow write:

Maryland joined the patchwork of 19 states enacting data privacy rules themselves in lieu of a federal standard last year when Gov. Wes Moore (D) signed the Maryland Online Data Privacy Act of 2024, empowering the state to curb exploitative data practices. The MODPA went into effect on Oct. 1, and enforcement begins on April 1, 2026.

Companies and consumers are evaluating whether the MODPA mirrors existing privacy regulations or marks a significant regulatory expansion. In either case, MODPA is a step toward restoring data privacy control into the hands of consumers.

The MODPA appears to be consistent with many existing state privacy statutes. However, its scope likely extends beyond existing state statutes because it sets a low threshold for application to companies doing business in Maryland and establishes stringent data minimization requirements that encompass broad categories, specifically with respect to “sensitive data.”

Privacy advocates have praised the statute as one that “provides Marylanders with some of the strongest privacy protections in the country.”

Read more at Bloomberg Law.

Is this how AI attacks humanity? The Terminator as therapist...

https://www.zdnet.com/article/using-ai-for-therapy-dont-its-bad-for-your-mental-health-apa-warns/

Using AI for therapy? Don't - it's bad for your mental health, APA warns

Therapy might be expensive and inaccessible, while many AI chatbots are free and readily available. But that doesn't mean the new technology can or should replace mental health professionals -- or fully address the mental health crisis, according to a recent advisory published Thursday by the American Psychological Association.

The advisory outlines recommendations for the public's use and over-reliance on consumer-facing chatbots. It underscores the general public and vulnerable populations' growing use of uncertified, consumer-facing AI chatbots and how they're poorly designed to address users' mental health needs. 

Recent surveys show that one of the largest providers of mental health support in the country right now is AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot. It also follows several high-profile incidents involving chatbots' mishandling of people experiencing mental health episodes.