Photo of Joseph J. Lazzarotti

Joseph J. Lazzarotti is a principal in the Tampa, Florida, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. He founded and currently co-leads the firm's Privacy, Data and Cybersecurity practice group, edits the firm’s Privacy Blog, and is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) with the International Association of Privacy Professionals. Trained as an employee benefits lawyer, focused on compliance, Joe also is a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits practice group.

In short, his practice focuses on the matrix of laws governing the privacy, security, and management of data, as well as the impact and regulation of social media. He also counsels companies on compliance, fiduciary, taxation, and administrative matters with respect to employee benefit plans.

As Data Privacy Day 2026 approaches, organizations face an inflection point in privacy, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity compliance. The pace of technological adoption, in particular AI tools, continues to outstrip legal, governance, and risk frameworks. At the same time, regulators, plaintiffs, and businesses are increasingly focused on how data is collected, used, monitored, and safeguarded.

A blend of evolving judicial interpretation, aggressive plaintiffs’ counsel, and decades-old statutory language has brought new life to the Florida Security of Communications Act (FSCA) as a vehicle for challenging commonplace website technologies.

At its core, the FSCA was enactedto protect privacy by prohibiting the unauthorized interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications — with

We’re pleased to announce the publication of a comprehensive resource on the Jackson Lewis website:

Navigating the California Consumer Privacy Act: 30+ Essential FAQs for Covered Businesses, Including Clarifying Regulations Effective 1.1.26.

With California’s updated CCPA regulations now in effect as of January 1, 2026, businesses face expanded compliance requirements in several critical areas.

As we have discussed in prior posts, AI-enabled smart glasses are rapidly evolving from niche wearables into powerful tools with broad workplace appeal — but their innovative capabilities bring equally significant legal and privacy concerns. In Part 1, we addressed compliance issues that arise when these wearables collect biometric information. In Part 2

New York State’s 2025 legislative session marked a notable moment in the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and privacy regulation. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, creating one of the first state-level frameworks aimed specifically at the most advanced AI systems, while vetoing the proposed New York Health Information

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more widely used in hiring and employment decisions, Illinois has taken a significant step to regulate how employers must inform workers about AI’s use. Effective January 1, 2026, House Bill 3773 amended the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) to require, among other things, employer notice when AI influences or facilitates

As we explored in Part 1 of this series, AI-enabled smart glasses are rapidly evolving from niche wearables into powerful tools with broad workplace appeal — but their innovative capabilities bring equally significant legal and privacy concerns. Modern smart glasses blend high-resolution cameras, always-on microphones, and real-time AI assistants into a hands-free wearable that can

Following failed congressional attempts to limit state AI laws, on December 11, 2025, the President issued an Executive Order titled Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence. The Order represents federal intervention into the growing landscape of state-level AI regulation. According to the Administration, a patchwork of state laws has created inconsistent and

Smart glasses with AI capabilities have evolved from futuristic concept to everyday reality. The market exploded in 2024, with global smart glasses shipments surging 210% year-over-year, driven primarily by Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. From the consumer-focused Meta Ray-Ban Display (featuring a built-in heads-up display announced in September 2025) to Meta’s partnership with Oakley for