Key Public Policy Developments Around the World
This alert summarizes recent developments in relation to the UK sanctions.
First, the UK introduced a substantial expansion of its Iran sanctions regime, including new trade, financial and transport restrictions. These measures are scheduled to enter into force on 29 September 2026.
Second, the UK announced a new package of…
Continue Reading UK Adopts New Iran Sanctions and Announces Measures Relating to Israeli SettlementsAt the end of August, the California legislature passed three bills that would regulate the use of AI in the employment context. These bills are now on Governor Newsom’s desk, and he has until September 30 to sign or veto. Below is a summary of the three bills.
SB 947…
Continue Reading California Legislature Advances AI Employment BillsBrazil’s National Data Protection Agency (“ANPD”) launched a public consultation on proposed changes to its regulatory oversight framework, reflecting the agency’s expanding role in overseeing data protection, online safety, and digital platforms.
Click here to read the full alert on cov.com.
Continue Reading Brazilian Government Opens Consultation on Regulatory Oversight of Data Privacy and Online ProtectionCalifornia’s new cybersecurity audit requirements under the CCPA are approaching, and companies that collect or process California residents’ personal information should be preparing now. Covington has been helping clients navigate these requirements in real time and has developed practical readiness materials, scoping frameworks, and benchmarking insights that companies can leverage…
Continue Reading CCPA Cyber Audits: Why Companies Should Prepare NowToday the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued an unusual press release that may signal stepped up enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”). In the press release, DOJ reminded the public of FARA’s requirements and warned of potential “civil and criminal liability” for noncompliance. In this alert…
Continue Reading DOJ Issues Press Release Regarding Liability for Unregistered Foreign AgentsOn September 9, 2026, the FCC released a draft Report and Order (R&O) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) titled “Rules and Regulations Implementing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991.” The draft has been circulated for consideration by the FCC at its September 30, 2026 open meeting.
The draft R&O and FNPRM address a range of consent revocation issues under the TCPA that have been pending before the agency since the last time the FCC promulgated rules in this area in 2024. If adopted, the R&O will narrow the scope of consent revocations in the context of informational calls and texts.
Continue Reading FCC Releases Draft Rules and Proposals on TCPA Consent RevocationFormer Apollo Global Management CEO Leon Black has taken the unusual step of filing a lawsuit seeking to preclude the House of Representatives’ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from enforcing subpoenas the Committee issued in its investigations related to Jeffrey Epstein. Black’s complaint, which challenges the Committee’s authority to enforce its subpoenas through civil litigation, poses a question that was left unresolved by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2021. Though the court may ultimately decline to reach that question in the present litigation, the case presents an intriguing opportunity to clarify the ability of House committees to compel compliance with investigative demands.
Continue Reading New Lawsuit Raises Unresolved Questions About House Civil Subpoena EnforcementIn recent months, children’s online safety and privacy have moved to the top of the EU’s digital agenda. The European Commission is expected to outline its proposal on minors’ access to social media this week, a potentially significant development that would build on the recommendations of the Commission’s Special Panel…
Continue Reading Horizon Scan: Children’s Online Safety and Privacy (EU and Beyond)Late Friday afternoon, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay of the Fourth Circuit’s decision setting aside the FCC Media Bureau’s guidance on entitlement to the lowest unit charge (“LUC”) for certain political ads placed on broadcast TV and radio. See our prior post about this issue here. Notably…
Continue Reading Supreme Court Action Revives FCC Media Bureau’s Political Ad GuidanceOn September 3, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) voted to propose rescinding in its entirety Rule 206(4)-5 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the agency’s longstanding “pay-to-play rule” applicable to investment advisers. If finalized, the proposal would eliminate the most significant federal political law compliance regime for…
Continue Reading SEC Proposes to Repeal Longstanding Pay-to-Play Restrictions on Investment Advisers