The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), alongside Common Cause and Make the Road States, has launched a new legal challenge against the Trump-Vance administration. The lawsuit targets an alleged unlawful attempt to alter a data sharing policy, which would grant federal and state agencies extensive access to sensitive personal information of individuals receiving public benefits.
This contested policy change threatens to expose private details, including Social Security Numbers and immigration status, of both current and past recipients of public assistance and their family members. The coalition argues that this move is an arbitrary and unlawful expansion of government access to highly sensitive personal data, raising significant privacy concerns for vulnerable populations.
In related developments, EPIC, represented by Protect Democracy and CREW, also filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's efforts to interfere in the 2026 midterm elections. This separate legal action disputes the use of unreliable databases to create "citizen" lists, which could improperly determine voter eligibility across states. Furthermore, a judge recently sided with EPIC and the Attorney General in combined cases against TikTok, Meta, and Google, ruling that the addictive features of these social media platforms are not protected by the First Amendment.
EPIC continues its advocacy on multiple fronts, including the recent publication of "EXPLAINING SURVEILLANCE PRICING AND OTHER DATA-DRIVEN PRICING PRACTICES" with the Consumer Federation of America. This resource aims to educate policymakers on how personal data influences pricing in the modern economy and to combat predatory practices. The organization is also preparing to host its "Champions of Freedom 2026" event on September 22 in Washington, D.C., to discuss the blurring lines between Big Tech and government power and their implications for civil liberties.
The ongoing legal challenges and advocacy efforts underscore EPIC's commitment to protecting privacy, promoting open government, and upholding democratic values in an increasingly data-driven society. These actions highlight a concerted pushback against policies perceived to undermine individual data rights and democratic processes.