The recent decision in Freedom Path, Inc. v. Internal Revenue Service addressed whether the IRS’s standards used to deny Freedom Path’s tax exemption as a 501(c)(4) organization were unconstitutionally vague. The United States District Court for the District of Columbia partially agreed with Freedom Path, acknowledging that the relevant guidance failed to satisfy the heightened scrutiny warranted... Continue Reading…| Global Policy Watch
This alert merely summarizes the allegations contained in FDA’s letters. It does not contain any analyses, opinions, characterizations, or conclusions by or of Covington & Burling LLP. As a result, the information presented herein does not necessarily reflect the views of Covington & Burling LLP or any of its clients. During the third quarter of... Continue Reading…| Global Policy Watch
Recently, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law several privacy and related proposals, including new laws governing browser opt-out preference signals, social media account deletion, data brokers, reproductive and health services, age signals for app stores, social media “black box warning” labels for minors, and companion chatbots. This blog summarizes the statutes’ key takeaways. Continue Reading…| Global Policy Watch
Quantum computing is beginning to move from labs into commercial deployment, and one of the main ways companies will be able to access this technology is through Quantum-as-a-Service (QaaS) offerings. Instead of companies investing in costly quantum hardware on-site, the QaaS model would allow them to tap into quantum capabilities via remote access services, much... Continue Reading…| Global Policy Watch
Two cornerstone authorities for federal contracting quietly expired on September 30, 2025, creating ripple effects that contractors—small and large—cannot afford to overlook. The Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (“SBIR/STTR”) programs, commonly known as “America’s Seed Fund” for their role in fueling early-stage innovation, and the Defense Production Act (“DPA”), the backbone of the... Continue Reading…| Global Policy Watch
Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) continues to command attention as today’s prominent technological asset, revolutionizing key markets and sectors. Simultaneously, discussions of another advanced technology known as quantum computing have gained traction. Because both technologies expand the universe of problems that can be tackled by computers, one might wonder, if we have AI, do we also need... Continue Reading…| Global Policy Watch
On September 30, 2025, the California Privacy Protection Agency (“Agency”) announced a decision and $1.35 million fine to resolve allegations that Tractor Supply Co. (“Tractor Supply”) violated the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). The settlement comes after the Agency filed a petition to enforce an investigative subpoena against Tractor Supply. In addition to imposing the... Continue Reading…| Global Policy Watch
There is broad consensus among Western policymakers that China’s near monopoly on critical minerals represents an urgent strategic vulnerability for the United States and its allies. China processes over 90 percent of the world’s rare earth elements (REE), a subset of critical minerals, raising concerns that it will use its dominance to advance geopolitical goals.... Continue Reading…| Global Policy Watch
On September 23, 2025, the Italian law on artificial intelligence (hereinafter, “Italian AI Law”) was signed into law, after receiving final approval by the Italian Senate on September 17, 2025. The law consists of varied provisions, including general principles and targeted sectoral rules in certain areas not covered by the EU AI Act. The Italian... Continue Reading…| Global Policy Watch
On September 17, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and seven states – Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nebraska, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia – sued| Global Policy Watch
In this increasingly growing digital landscape, companies are entrusted with vast amounts of sensitive personal information. From names and email| Global Policy Watch
On August 29, the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an enforcement report and press release covering its first year of enforcement of the Oregon| Global Policy Watch
Last month, the D.C. Circuit in In re: Sealed Case, 2025 WL 2013687 (D.C. Cir. July 18, 2025) invalidated a non-disclosure order (“NDO”) that applied to| Global Policy Watch
We have reached the six-month anniversary of President Trump’s landmark executive order that extended the regulatory review process run by the White| Global Policy Watch
In a recently announced settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”), Illumina, Inc. (“Illumina”) agreed to pay $9.8 million to| Global Policy Watch
On August 6, President Trump issued an Executive Order (“EO”) (“Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of the Russian Federation”)| Global Policy Watch
Earlier today, FDA issued a proposed rule that would extend the compliance date of the Food Traceability Rule by 30 months, i.e., until July 20, 2028. The| Global Policy Watch
On July 27, the United States and the European Union announced a trade framework agreement, following a meeting between President Donald Trump and| Global Policy Watch
On 23 July 2025, the International Court of Justice (the “Court”) issued its highly anticipated advisory opinion on Obligations of States in respect of| Global Policy Watch
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has taken the next major step toward implementing the General Services Administration’s (“GSA”) Revolutionary| Global Policy Watch
On 15 July 2025, the European Commission adopted an adequacy decision for the European Patent Organisation (EPO). This marks the first time such a| Global Policy Watch
Global Policy Watch is a publication providing resources on key public policy developments around the world.| Global Policy Watch
This is part of an ongoing series of Covington blogs on the AI policies, executive orders, and other actions of the Trump Administration. The first| Global Policy Watch
