Technology

We caught 4 more states sharing personal health data with Big Tech

Health care exchanges in Nevada, Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island shared users’ sensitive health data with companies like Google and LinkedIn.

By

Colin Lecher

and

Tomas Apodaca

• June 17, 2025

Illustration of a woman on her laptop, set against a background of a browser window; the image is heavily manipulated to be pixelated in a bitmap style

Technology

This is how you stop data trackers from sucking up your health data

The Markup and CalMatters found multiple ways consumers can block the trackers quietly sending your data to tech companies, including those used on state-run health exchange websites.

By

Tomas Apodaca

and

Colin Lecher

• June 17, 2025

Politics

Google’s $125 million deal with California for local news is already shrinking

Google and California struck a deal last year to fund local news. Now the state is pulling back some of its commitments. Google could follow suit.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• May 16, 2025

A student uses her cell phone while walking outside on a school campus with other students.

Commentary

If social media can flip fitness tips into an eating disorder, California law needs to intervene

A San Jose parent shares how her daughter's use of social media uncovering fitness tips led to an eating disorder. It's the sort of tragically common story that she argues makes a proposed social media liability bill worth passing.

By Neveen Radwan • May 7, 2025

Technology

California regulator weakens AI rules, giving Big Tech more leeway to track you

Tech that helps businesses make decisions or target ads will be given freer rein following pressure from the governor.

By

Khari Johnson

• May 7, 2025

The exterior white building wall with the words “The State Bar Of California” underneath an agency’s seal. Under the seal and sign is the top of a bush poking into the frame.

Commentary

State Bar’s botched exam for new lawyers is California’s latest entry to the hall of shame

Many of the state government's wrongheaded actions involve mishaps using advanced technology or systems. What happened this year with the State Bar is the latest entrant to a list of managerial failures.

By

Dan Walters

• May 7, 2025

Health

After CalMatters investigation, LinkedIn and Google face lawsuit alleging improper access to health data

The suit accuses the companies of receiving personal information through California’s state health insurance exchange.

By

Colin Lecher

and

Tomas Apodaca

• May 2, 2025

Traffic moves along the 110 Freeway in Los Angeles on Nov. 22, 2022. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP Photo

Commentary

Newsom jabs at Trump and Musk, but will AI make California more efficient?

Gov. Gavin Newsom contrasted federal efficiency cuts with his use of AI to improve state government. But California's record of using technology has been poor.

By

Dan Walters

• May 2, 2025

An over-the-shoulder view of a person typing on a laptop with a window open to Facebook with the words “Privacy Check-up” on the screen. On the right side of the frame is the person’s ear and their hands on the keyboard as they type.

Commentary

California’s battle over data privacy and algorithm protections reaches a crossroads

After California lawmakers and voters enacted landmark data privacy laws, a key state agency and several politicians are folding under pressure from powerful business interests and pushing to weaken protections.

By Justin Kloczko • April 29, 2025

Health

How the state sent Californians’ personal health data to LinkedIn

The state’s health insurance exchange transmitted pregnancy and domestic abuse data during a marketing campaign. It is reviewing its website practices.

By

Tomas Apodaca

and

Colin Lecher

• April 28, 2025