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(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today released a new report under the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA), detailing the Office’s actions in 2025 to enforce compliance with Connecticut’s data privacy law. The report discloses for the first time multiple active and ongoing investigations related to the safety of children and teens online across numerous platforms, including online messaging, gaming and chat bots.

The CTDPA, which took effect in July 2023, grants important data rights to Connecticut residents and solidifies critical privacy requirements for covered businesses. This is the Office’s third annual CTDPA report, and the first to reflect enforcement of the law’s expanded minors’ privacy protections that took effect October 1, 2024.

This report provides updates on (1) the Office’s broader privacy and data security efforts; (2) privacy-related consumer complaints received this year (3) our data breach notice review and enforcement efforts; and (4) our CTDPA enforcement efforts and priorities, including those related to minors’ privacy.  The Report concludes with a summary of recent CTDPA amendments and key takeaways for businesses.

“Connecticut has one of the nation’s first and strongest data privacy laws, and the Office of the Attorney General is active and aggressive in protecting our rights to privacy, security and safety online,” said Attorney General William Tong. “In 2025, we held companies accountable for delayed and inadequate data breach notices and hidden consumer rights. We launched active and ongoing investigations into multiple platforms that may have exploited and exposed our kids and their sensitive data to unacceptable privacy and security risks online. Privacy and data security are not optional and companies that do business in our state must take these requirements seriously.”

“While we were one of the first states to grant our residents data privacy rights, this report makes it clear that we have more work to do.  Too many of our residents’ requests fall under one of the exemptions in the law, and the harms from companion chatbots were not anticipated 4 years ago when the original bill passed.  It is clear that the move fast and break things mantra of big tech is causing real harm to our residents.  I look forward to working together with the Attorney General, the governor and my colleagues to help rein in the harmful aspects of chatbots, so we can see the true benefits this technology promises,” said State Senator James Maroney.

In 2025, the Office of the Attorney General opened and advanced investigations and inquiries, and undertook enforcement actions and outreach efforts to ensure awareness and compliance involving the collection, use, sale, and protection of consumer data, including matters involving:

•             Connected vehicles and geolocation data;

•             Social media platforms and messaging apps used by children and teens;

•             Gaming platforms and app developers potentially using minors’ data for targeted advertising or sale;

•             Chatbots and artificial intelligence products that pose risks to minors through their design features and unchecked content;

•             Data brokers.

By the end of 2025, the Office had issued dozens of notices of violations and warning letters, finalized multiple data breach settlements, and resolved its first enforcement action under the CTDPA.

The report summarizes significant amendments to the CTDPA enacted for 2025. Key changes highlighted in the report include:

•             Lowered thresholds for applicability, including that all sensitive data processing and all sales of personal data will be covered under the law.

•             Stronger protections for minors’ data, including prohibitions on targeted advertising and sale of minors’ personal data;

•             Broader definition of sensitive data, adding new categories such as disability or treatment information and non-binary or transgender status; and

•             New disclosure requirement related to artificial intelligence, requiring companies to disclose whether personal data is used to train large language models.

The report also identifies areas where the state legislature could strengthen or clarify the CTDPA’s protections. Recommendations include:

•             Narrowing the definition of “publicly available information” to ensure full coverage of data brokers and people search websites;

•             Adopting a standalone genetic data privacy law;

•             Enacting safeguards and legislation governing chatbot and AI products, particularly to protect children from manipulation and harm;

•             Enhancing consumer rights, including by expanding the utility of the CTDPA’s universal opt-out provisions;

For more information about the CTDPA, visit the Attorney General’s FAQ Page.

This report was prepared by the entire Privacy Section. The Privacy Section includes assistant attorneys general Patrick Kania, Jordan Levin, Laura Martella, Kileigh Nassau, and John Neumon, legal investigator Carly Smedberg, paralegal specialist Casey Rybak, administrative assistant Diana Viera, and is led by Deputy Associate Attorney General and Section Chief Michele Lucan.

BRIDGEPORT, CT – Mayor Ganim and the Office of Emergency Management advise all residents to be cautious until noon Tuesday, February 10, 2026, due to the extension of the Cold Weather Protocol. A period of intense cold will impact the Bridgeport area, with very low wind chill values forecast near zero.

In anticipation of freezing temperatures, residents must take caution and make necessary preparations. Residents should also be prepared for potential snow this weekend, as weather conditions will be closely monitored. Extra travel time is encouraged, especially during morning commutes when roads may be slippery.

Residents may use the checklist below as a guide to safety during cold weather:

• Check heating devices
• Do not use a stove or oven to heat your home due to gas, carbon monoxide, and fire hazards
• If using a generator, follow manufacturer instructions and do not use indoors
• Bring pets inside
• Watch for ice on pipes and ground cover
• Bundle up if you must go outside
• Check on elderly neighbors and family members

Operation Care – To help protect the homeless population from unsafe temperatures, call 2-1-1. The Homeless Outreach Team is connecting individuals with shelters including Prospect House, Bridgeport Rescue Mission, and Alpha Community. Residents may also go to 650 Park Avenue for assistance.

Warming Centers

Senior Centers (weekdays only, 9:00 am–3:00 pm)
• Black Rock Senior Center – 2676 Fairfield Avenue
• East Side Senior Center – 268 Putnam Street
• Eisenhower Senior Center – 307 Golden Hill Street

GBT Station
• 710 Water Street – Monday through Friday, 9:00 am–9:00 pm

Bridgeport Public Library branches:
• Main Branch – 925 Broad Street
• Black Rock Branch – 2705 Fairfield Avenue
• Newfield Branch – 755 Central Avenue
• North Branch – 3455 Madison Avenue
• Beardsley Branch – 2536 East Main Street
• East Side Branch – Temporarily closed for renovations

South End Community Center – Overnight Stay/Case Worker Support
• 650 Park Avenue – Open 24/7 with limited overnight capacity

Residents experiencing power outages should contact United Illuminating at 800-722-5584 for 24-hour emergency service. For updates, follow the Bridgeport Emergency Operations Center on X and Facebook.

The annual event is free and open to the public.

‘Take Your Child to the Library Day’ encourages families to visit their local library and discover everything it has to offer. This year, Dinosaurs will invade the Library! There will be different activities happening throughout the day, including a Dino Craft, Exploration of Fossils, I Spy Dinos, and even a photo with a dinosaur! This special day is courtesy of the Carol Pieper Memorial Fund. 

For more information, call 203.385.4165 or visit the events page at: www.stratfordlibrary.org. 

On 01/29/2026 Shelton Police arrested Hipolito Rodriguez, age 52, of Bridgeport for Home Invasion, Conspiracy to commit home invasion, Robbery 1st degree, and Conspiracy to commit Robbery 1st degree. Rodriguez was processed and charged at the Derby Superior Court and placed on $350,000.00 bond. Rodriguez is currently in custody of the department of corrections.

On 02/14/2025 Shelton Police responded to a residence in the area of Sunnyside School on a report of a home invasion, where two masked suspects armed with hand guns entered the residence and demanded a large sum of money from the homeowners. The homeowners were held at gunpoint for hours while the suspects went through the residence and removed valuables, which included watches and jewelry.

The Shelton Police Department Detective Bureau followed up on the investigation and obtained surveillance footage of the suspects vehicle, which matched a vehicle recently reported stolen in a similar incident days earlier in Bridgeport.

Detectives from Bridgeport and Shelton developed Rodriguez as a suspect in both incidents. Through follow up interviews Detectives discovered items matching the description that were stolen were sold for scrap at a local jeweler.

Further follow up led to the majority of the Shelton victim’s jewelry being recovered in a storage unit rented by a family member of Rodriguez.

The investigation is ongoing with additional arrests expected.

Report of a bus fire around Exit 10 I-95 Northbound with multiple people trapped. At this time first responders are on scene, nobody is currently trapped in the bus, and they are treating those injured and are currently putting out the fire.

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is taking immediate action to prevent dramatic increases in property tax assessments on Connecticut farmland, forestland, open space, and maritime heritage land that could force the conversion of these lands to more intensive uses.

In a letter transmitted today to Office of Policy and Management (OPM) Interim Secretary Joshua Wojcik, the governor is directing OPM to reinstate the 2020 recommended land use values under PA 490, effective immediately.

“Family farms are vital to Connecticut’s economy and are an essential part of our heritage,” Governor Lamont said. “Preserving Connecticut’s farmland and open spaces is critical to maintaining a reliable source of food and farm products, conserving our natural resources, and promoting the welfare and happiness of our residents. Our work to address concerns around rising land use values demonstrates our understanding of the challenges farmers face. Preserving these lands is about more than economics, it’s about sustaining a way of life that defines Connecticut, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the farming community to keep Connecticut agriculture strong.”

Due to an unforeseen lack of data in establishing assessment values for these lands as required by Connecticut General Statutes § 12-2b(1), significant increases in valuations occurred for the tax years beginning with the 2025 grand list. To address this, Governor Lamont has directed OPM, in consultation with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, to:

• Revoke the 2025 Recommended Land Use Values and Best Practices for farmland, forestland, open space, and maritime heritage land, and reinstate the 2020 recommended land use values for these categories;
• Immediately notify all municipal tax assessors of this revocation and reinstatement; and
• Convene a working group in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, including representation from agricultural organizations, farmers, municipal leaders, and assessors, to recommend alternative measures to improve data collection, review, and valuation processes consistent with state law.

“OPM is committed to ensuring that tax policies support, not burden, the people who work our land and preserve our open spaces,” Interim Secretary Wojcik said. “We will work closely with farmers, municipal leaders, legislators, and others to develop fair and practical solutions that keep agriculture thriving for generations to come.”

“Governor Lamont’s quick action sends a clear message – Connecticut stands with its farmers,” Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt said. “By rolling back these unexpected tax hikes and bringing farmers to the table for future solutions, the state is making sure family farms can keep doing what they do best – feeding our communities and caring for our land. Together, we are working to protect the farm traditions and open spaces that make Connecticut home.”

“On behalf of the Connecticut Farm Bureau and our members, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Governor Lamont and Agriculture Commissioner Hurlburt for their leadership in acknowledging the vital role farming plays in our state’s economy and communities,” Paul Larson, president of the Connecticut Farm Bureau, said. “Their commitment to addressing concerns over the Public Act 490 land use values demonstrates a deep understanding of the challenges farmers face and the importance of this program to keeping farmland accessible for future generations. This action is not only critical to our membership but to the farming community at large, and we look forward to continuing this partnership to keep Connecticut agriculture strong.”

Governor Lamont is grateful to local farmers and others in the agricultural community for bringing this issue to his attention and helping ensure that Connecticut remains committed to a diverse and thriving economy.