Global Scans · Civil Rights · Weekly Summary

• [New] Economic inequality stands out as the most interconnected global risk for the second consecutive year. HRD Canada
• [New] Some federal courts have ruled that laws requiring age verification are unconstitutional because they undermine the US Constitution's First Amendment and threaten privacy rights. Atlantic Council
• [New] Around 2.1 billion people will be working in the informal sector in 2026, with limited access to social protection, rights at work, and job security. UN News
• [New] Nearly 300 million workers continue to live in extreme poverty, earning less than US$3 a day, while informality is rising, with 2.1 billion workers expected to hold informal jobs by 2026, with limited access to social protection, rights at work, and job security. International Labour Organization
• [New] Colorado's Consumer Protections for Artificial Intelligence, or Senate Bill 24-205, requires developers to use reasonable care in protecting consumers from any known or reasonably foreseeable risks of algorithmic discrimination in education, employment and government services. Built In
• [New] AI has the potential to benefit students in their education, but could also exacerbate inequality in educational outcomes, particularly for students from equity backgrounds. Mirage News
• [New] Rising inequality and declining living standards have posed a threat to democracy in several democracies, but so far not in Australia. Pearls and Irritations
• [New] Political fragmentation and public concerns over inequality pose risks to reform implementation, despite U.S.-Chile FTA advantages and EU competition for FDI. Ainvest
• [New] Palestinians continue to be subjected to systemic discrimination, violence and other forms of oppression by Israel, including restrictions on, or denial of freedom of movement within the West Bank, and restrictions on their access to economic opportunities, basic services, and natural resources. Opinio Juris
• [New] Oxfam's report, Climate Inequality Kills, found that the outsized consumption emissions of the world's super-rich 1% over four decades (1990-2030) alone are causing significant net economic damage, with low- and lower-middle-income countries being most affected. Oxfam International
• [New] After investigating security provisions, Virginia Bell will need to revisit Australia's view of the relationship between free speech and discrimination. The Sydney Morning Herald
• [New] The Google Play store bans apps that contain or promote content associated with sexually predatory behaviour, or distribute non-consensual sexual content, as well as programs that contain or facilitate threats, harassment, or bullying. Wired
• [New] In 2026, regulators and courts will increasingly focus on whether data subject rights can be meaningfully applied to trained AI models. Morrison Foerster
• [New] Illinois will strengthen its Human Rights Act to prohibit employers from using AI in ways that cause workplace discrimination and will require disclosure when AI is used in hiring or employment decisions. The Independent
• [New] South Korea will finalize stablecoin regulations in Q1 2026, mandating 100% reserves and guaranteed user redemption rights. BeInCrypto
• [New] Asia will take the lead on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation in 2026, with bills in play in Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand. JD Supra
• [New] Strand Consult anticipated China's shift toward greater aggression, now evident in military drills in the Taiwan Strait, intimidation across the East and South China Seas, the harassment of Philippine fishermen, and increasingly dangerous gray-zone encounters with US and allied aircraft. CYBER ERA: Catalyzing the Digital Economy
• [New] Gearing up for CPPA regulations to take effect in 2027, businesses will need to grapple with risk assessments, cybersecurity audits, pre-use notices, opt-out rights, and annual cybersecurity audits in 2026. JD Supra
• [New] The battle over states' rights on AI will remain the highest profile fight in 2026. Tech Policy Press
• [New] Beijing is pushing courts to adopt AI not just in drafting basic paperwork, but even in recommending judgements and sentences, which could deepen structural discrimination and weaken defence counsels' ability to appeal. Mirage News
• [New] A total of 36 states and three U.S. territories could elect new governors in 2026, many of whom will have significant influence over education policy, health care access, and the enforcement - or rollback - of civil rights protections. Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, G

Last updated: 18 January 2026