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    Jul. 16, 2025

Texas Adds New Type of State AI Law to U.S. Regulatory Mix

When the U.S. Senate abandoned the proposed five-year moratorium on state AI laws, it positioned the Texas AG to extend his existing lead in AI enforcement, armed with the newly signed and novel Texas Responsible AI Governance Act (TRAIGA). The law, which takes effect January 2026, is the first in the U.S. to fully ban certain AI uses, with penalties up to $120,000 per violation. TRAIGA notably complicates biometric data compliance for companies, but also offers several business-friendly measures to protect those facing AG investigations. This article details how this sizable change in AI regulation empowers the Texas AG with enforcement latitude, how TRAIGA dovetails with other states’ AI enforcement focus areas and how it amends the state’s biometric law. It also offers steps companies should consider for complying with state AI laws that will go into effect at the start of 2026 in Colorado, California and now Texas. See “How to Address the Colorado AI Act’s ‘Complex Compliance Regime’” (Jun. 5, 2024).

Cybersecurity and AI Are Top Global Business Challenges Identified in Kroll Study

Business professionals from more than 20 countries identified cybersecurity and AI integration as their most pressing challenges, according to Kroll’s 2025 Global Business Sentiment Survey. Kroll asked respondents about how they are approaching uncertainty and upheaval around the globe, and their perspectives on key challenges and risks, including economic instability, data privacy and geopolitical and trade risk. This article synthesizes the survey results and insights shared by Kroll leaders during an online program on key findings from the survey, strategies for mitigating the identified risks, and approaches to governance and compliance. See “In‑House Perspectives on Compliance’s Role in Managing New and Emerging Risks” (Jun. 5, 2024).

SEC Examinations Staff Shine a Light on How Registrants Are Selected and Ways to Excel During an Exam

The SEC’s Division of Examinations (Division) uses a risk-based methodology to select firms for examination, prioritizing those with higher potential for non-compliance or risk to investors. This article synthesizes insights offered by representatives from four different programs within the Division on considerations the staff weigh when deciding which registrants to examine, the life cycle of an examination and tips for communicating effectively with exam teams, which they delivered on a panel at Practising Law Institute’s SEC Speaks in 2025 event. See “Six Steps to Address the SEC’s Trump Era Cyber Enforcement Priorities” (Apr. 9, 2025).

Akin Adds Co-Head of Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data Protection Practice in D.C.

Evan Wolff has joined Akin as a partner and co‑head of the firm’s cybersecurity, privacy & data protection practice in Washington, D.C. He arrives from Crowell & Moring. For insights from Akin, see “Answers to Six Key Questions About How Enforcers View Gatekeepers” (Oct. 23, 2024). For commentary from Wolff, see “White House Lays Out Its Broad Cybersecurity Initiatives” (Feb. 17, 2016).

Most-Read Articles

Women to Watch: Contributions, Achievements and Observations of Outstanding Female Professionals

To mark International Women’s Day, women editors and reporters at ION Analytics interviewed outstanding women in the industries and jurisdictions we cover. In this part, Law Report Group editors Jill Abitbol, Robin L. Barton and Megan Zwiebel profile notable women in data privacy, cybersecurity, private funds and anti-corruption law, including Anne-Gabrielle Haie, Jessica Lee, Micaela McMurrough, Laura Perkins, Amanda Raad, Madelyn Calabrese, Ranah Esmaili and Genna Garver. Enjoy reading their inspiring remarks here.

Celebrating Data Privacy Day 2025

Read the full brief here.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Read the full brief here.