Tag:Regulation
Synthetic Media, Real Harm: Regulating AI-Generated Deepfakes
Carolyn Nsimpasi
Associate Editor
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, JD 2026
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has enabled the creation of highly realistic synthetic media, commonly known as deepfakes. These AI-generated images, videos, and audio recordings can convincingly replicate real people, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish truth from fabrication. While deepfake technology has legitimate uses in entertainment, education, and accessibility, its growing misuse presents significant social, political, and ethical risks. As a result, the regulation of AI-generated deepfakes has become an urgent necessity.
The Need for Stronger Regulation of the Taxation of Churches
Carolyn Nsimpasi
Associate Editor
Loyola University Chicago School of Law, JD 2026
In the United States, churches and religious organizations qualify for exemptions from federal income tax under IRS Section 501(c)(3) and are generally eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. While the intention behind this exemption is to protect religious freedom and support nonprofit missions, the lack of robust regulatory frameworks has opened the door to potential misuse. As religious institutions grow in both size and financial complexity, the public benefits they provide do not always receive the same scrutiny as their financial practices. Consequently, it is time for this exemption to be either eliminated entirely or significantly modified following an intensive evaluation of its regulation.
NHTSA’s New Rule Expands Seat Belt Compliance
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently finalized a rule requiring seat belt alarms for drivers and front seat passengers. The new rule became effective on March 4, 2025, with ongoing expansion in years to come. This is an amendment to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208, or “Occupant crash protection” which required seat belt warnings for drivers seats only. FMVSS No. 208 originally went into effect in 1968 and has had major improvements since its enactment. This particular improvement will require manufacturers to install front seat belt warnings in all new vehicles by September 1, 2026, but manufacturers can begin implementing the new rule before September 1, 2026. FMVSS No. 208 will apply to cars, trucks, multipurpose vehicles and certain kinds of buses. The change comes after the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21), which required NHTSA to regulate rear seat belt warnings in vehicles.
Navigating the Shifting Tides of Regulatory Compliance in Climate Policy
The United States finds itself at a regulatory crossroads when it comes to environmental policy. The current administration’s efforts to block state climate regulations through executive action stand in stark contrast to the growing movement of state governments implementing stringent greenhouse gas reporting requirements. This divergence creates a complex compliance landscape where businesses must simultaneously adapt to federal deregulation while meeting expanding state-level environmental mandates. This tension between federal and state approaches to climate regulation presents both challenges and opportunities for corporate compliance programs. As federal agencies scale back environmental oversight, progressive states are filling the regulatory void with ambitious climate policies that often exceed previous federal standards. This blog examines this emerging dichotomy, explores its implications for business operations, and provides strategic guidance for maintaining compliance in this evolving landscape.
The European Union’s Antitrust Actions Against Google and Apple: The Last Soldier of Big Tech Regulation
Due to President Trump’s focus on weakening regulations on big technology companies, the European Union (EU) finds itself once again at the forefront of regulating big tech to ensure fair competition within digital markets. The EU’s recent actions, as of March 19, 2025, accuse Google and Apple of antitrust violations, a move that may increase geopolitical tensions as President Trump has made it clear he will protect American companies from “overseas extortion.” The EU remains one of the few remaining checks on the power of big tech.
Nuclear Waste Disposal: A Collective Failure but a Collective Opportunity
On Wednesday, March 5th, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on two cases involving the licensing of private contractors for disposal of nuclear waste in Texas. The cases focused on two issues: (1) an administrative law question about a third party being able to challenge an agency ruling, and (2) whether the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) can issue licenses for private companies to operate temporary disposal sites. Ultimately, the holdings will not matter because the underlying problem remains the same. Due to a combination of government inaction and inefficiency, there are no permanent nuclear waste disposal sites in the US.
Executive Order 14216: What it Means for the Regulatory State
On February 18, 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14216, titled “Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies,” mandating that independent federal agencies route their rules and new actions through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The order aims to enhance presidential oversight over agencies that traditionally operate with a degree of autonomy, like as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The order signifies a substantial shift in the dynamics of the American regulatory state.
Chicago’s Low-Income Housing Trust Fund at a Crossroads: Leadership, Equity, and an Uncertain Future
On February 11, the Chicago City Council Committee on Housing and Real Estate delayed approval of the appointment of eight board members to oversee the city’s low-income housing trust fund. The vote was postponed due to concerns about the lack of Black representation on the board and among the appointees, particularly from the South and West sides. For decades, Chicago has grappled with the challenge of providing affordable housing to its poorest residents. The Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund (“Trust Fund”), established in 1987, has been a crucial force in addressing this need. The Trust Fund was created through a City Council ordinance and supports low-income residents—those earning at or below 50% of the city’s median income—by funding rental subsidies and housing programs.
Major Regulatory Rollbacks Expected from Trump’s New SEC
With the return of the Trump Administration looming large, rumors of possible regulatory appointments are already swirling. One federal agency that will undoubtedly see major changes with the transition of power is the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the authority responsible for regulating the securities market and protecting investors. With the shift in presidential administration coupled with significant GOP gains in the House and Senate, analysts have begun to speculate on how agency leadership and staffing changes will impact securities policy and rulemaking, and what the rest of the country can expect from the markets over the next four years.
No One Can Watch the Chicago Bulls! And Other Reasons Why the MLB, NBA, and NHL Need to Consider Nationalizing Their Media Rights.
Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) are the TV channels that show a sports team’s games in a local area. Due to a demand for sports by television viewers over the past few decades, RSNs created large revenues from local media rights deals (TV contracts) for professional sports leagues. This issue impacts several of the major professional leagues: the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), and Major League Baseball (MLB). Currently, due to the trend of cord-cutting and a lack of regulation by the league offices, many fans are left without a viable way to watch their local teams, including much of the City of Chicago.