Happy New Year 2025

Tag: identity

Hiding kids’ ‘gender identity’ from parents is common in blue state fighting Trump on trans issues

More than 50 school districts in Maine have policies that allow minors to hide their gender identity from their parents, according to a new watchdog report.

Parents Defending Education (PDE), a grassroots organization tracking gender ideologies in schools across the country, filed public records requests to confirm that at least 57 of the state’s 192 school districts have policies excluding parents from knowing whether their children identify as another gender.

The report comes after President Donald Trump chastised Democrat Maine Gov. Janet Millis last week over her refusal to enforce Trump’s “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order.

TRUMP VOWS TO CUT OFF FEDERAL FUNDING TO MAINE OVER REFUSAL TO COMPLY WITH ‘NO MEN IN WOMEN’S SPORTS’ ORDER

President Trump and the Department of Education building. (Getty Images)

“It was totally unsurprising to see the governor of Maine go to the mat to keep males in women’s sports when over 50 school districts in Maine have written policies to deceive parents about their own child,” PDE spokesperson Erika Sanzi told Fox News Digital Friday.

“We have seen a groundswell of parents in Maine speaking out about this now that they are aware of it, and it is our hope that districts begin to roll back these policies, not only because of the executive orders from the Trump administration but because nearly 80% of their constituents oppose them,” she said.

In one example from the state’s largest district, Portland Public Schools, district policy on “transgender and gender expansive students” requires that if “a student and their parent or legal guardian do not agree with regard to the student’s gender identity or gender expression, the school shall abide by the wishes of the student with regard to their gender identity and gender expression while at school.

“School staff shall comply with the student’s wishes regarding disclosure of their transgender status to others, including but not limited to parents or guardians, students, volunteers or other school staff, unless the student has explicitly authorized the disclosure or unless legally required to do so.”

MAINE FEMALE ATHLETE ‘GRATEFUL’ FOR TRUMP’S FOCUS ON TRANS COMPETITORS AFTER LOCAL LEADERS ‘FAILED’ GIRLS

A student leads a group of demonstrators in Knoxville, Tenn., in protest of the state’s 2022 transgender athlete ban. (Saul Young/Knoxville News-Sentinel /USA Today)

Policies like Portland’s are also still in place after Trump signed an executive order at the end of January, “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling,” which states that “steering students toward surgical and chemical mutilation without parental consent or involvement or allowing males access to private spaces designated for females may contravene Federal laws that protect parental rights.”

Trump has already threatened to cut off Maine’s federal funding if it continues to defy his orders.

“I heard men are still playing in Maine,” Trump told to a gathering of Republican governors in Washington last week.

“I hate to tell you this, but we’re not going to give them any federal money. They are still saying, ‘We want men to play in women’s sports,’ and I cannot believe that they’re doing that. … So, we’re not going to give them any federal funding, none whatsoever, until they clean that up.”

MAINE STATE REP TALKS ‘EXTREME’ TRANSGENDER ATHLETE POLICY

President Donald Trump told Maine Gov. Janet Mills her state needs to comply with an executive order on transgender athletes in school sports during a Feb. 21, 2025, event at the White House. (Reuters Photos | Pool)

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Trump signed the executive order barring men from women’s sports earlier this month, which directs federal agencies to review grants, programs and policies that fail to align with efforts to block male participation in women’s sports “as a matter of safety, fairness, dignity, and truth.” The order mandates strict enforcement of Title IX and threatens to revoke federal funding from noncompliant educational institutions and athletic organizations.

After the order, several other blue states indicated they would not be complying with it, including California and Minnesota.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Maine Department of Education for comment.

Jamie Joseph is a U.S. Politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering transgender and culture issues, the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, and stateside legislative developments.

March 2, 2025
Department of Education probing some Virginia school districts over gender identity policies

The U.S. Department of Education is launching an investigation into several school districts in northern Virginia over allegations of refusing to follow President Donald Trump’s executive order banning gender identity policies.

The department’s Office for Civil Rights opened an enforcement investigation into the school districts, according to Fox 5 DC.

The districts include Arlington County Public Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools, Loudoun County Public Schools and Prince William County Public Schools.

This comes after the conservative nonprofit America First Legal filed a complaint accusing several schools in Virginia of keeping policies promoting gender identity in place in violation of the president’s mandate.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WARNS THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS MUST REMOVE DEI POLICIES OR LOSE FEDERAL FUNDING

The U.S. Department of Education building is seen on August 21, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Getty Images)

The complaint argues that the districts are violating Title IX of the higher education act of 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools and Trump’s executive order titled “Ending Racial Indoctrination in K-12 Schools,” which called on some federal agencies to develop a plan to eliminate the “instruction, advancement or promotion of gender ideology or discriminatory equity ideology” in K-12 schools receiving federal funding.

America First Legal stresses that the federal government prohibits “instruction, advancement or promotion of gender ideology” — as mentioned in Trump’s order — and argues that allowing biological boys to use girls’ restrooms and locker rooms is covered in this language.

TRUMP EDUCATION NOMINEE LINDA MCMAHON SAYS SHUTTING DOWN DOE WOULD ‘REQUIRE CONGRESSIONAL ACTION’

The U.S. Department of Education building in Washington, D.C. (STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

The group described the districts named in the complaint as radical and lawless and that the districts would rather “deny biology than teach it and one family agrees.”

Arlington Public Schools said it stands firmly behind its non-discrimination policies and remains committed to providing safe and welcoming schools for all students, according to Fox 5 DC. The district said it follows all federal laws with respect to Title IX.

Prince William County Public Schools said it will “cooperate with the investigation and remains committed to providing a welcoming, nurturing learning environment where all of our students feel safe and supported mentally, physically, and emotionally.”

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on February 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

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Alexandria City Public Schools said it “will respond to this investigation in accordance with applicable law.” Loudoun County Public Schools made a similar statement.

Fairfax County Public Schools said its policies “align with state and federal anti-discrimination laws and binding court precedent.”

February 17, 2025
Outsmart hackers who are out to steal your identity

Did you know that identity theft happens every 22 seconds? This means that, by the time you finish reading this sentence, someone has likely had their identity stolen. At best, identity theft will steal away your time and patience. But more often, identity theft leads to severe consequences, like losing control over your financial accounts, having your credit score affected or even losing lifelong savings.

However, you don’t have to be a statistic. By understanding how identity thieves operate and implementing smart protection strategies, you can make your personal data a fortress that’s too challenging for cybercriminals to breach. Drawing from the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) latest Identity Theft Awareness Week insights, I’ll walk you through expert-backed strategies to shield your most valuable asset: your identity.

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Illustration of a hacker at work (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Lesson 1: Identity theft is more common than you think

With so much of our lives having moved online, identity thieves are having an easier time than ever. Your most important accounts – banking, credit, Social Security – are all digital. Thieves don’t need to know much about you to steal your identity, just a few pieces of personal information can be enough. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, 24 million Americans reported identity theft in the past 12 months. In their lifetime, 1 in 3 Americans (more than 110 million people) have experienced identity theft. Here’s the part many people don’t realize: You might have already been a target. Maybe your identity was stolen, and the thieves failed, or maybe your good online habits saved you without you even knowing, which brings us to the next lesson: prevention.

Illustration of a hacker at work (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

THINK YOU’RE SAFE? IDENTITY THEFT COULD WIPE OUT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE’S SAVINGS

Lesson 2: You can protect yourself from identity theft

You don’t need to spend a fortune to guard against identity theft. While professional services can be helpful, most of what you need comes down to better habits and awareness. Here are some simple steps you can take today:

1) Check your accounts regularly: Review your bank, credit card and Social Security accounts for transactions you didn’t make, failed login attempts and password reset requests you didn’t initiate.

2) Keep an eye on your mail: Look for letters regarding accounts you didn’t open, notices of data breaches and transaction summaries that don’t match your records.

3) Monitor your email inbox: Be alert for password reset emails you didn’t request, confirmation of new accounts you didn’t open, receipts for purchases you didn’t make.

4) Use two-factor authentication (2FA): 2FA adds extra layers of security to your accounts. Even if a thief has your password, they won’t be able to log in without a second step, like a code sent via text message or app-based verification. While logging in might take an extra moment, it’s worth it; 2FA dramatically increases account security.

5) Check your credit report annually: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com to get your free credit report once a year. Use it to spot suspicious activity early. If you see something unusual, take action right away.

6) Use strong passwords: Use complex passwords and a password manager to secure your online accounts. Strong passwords are your first line of defense against cyber threats.

7) Stop oversharing: Limit the personal information you share on social media and other platforms. It’s a treasure trove for cybercriminals who use it to craft convincing fraud campaigns targeted specifically at you.

Illustration of the need for digital security (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

10 SIGNS YOUR IDENTITY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED

Lesson 3: Know what to do if identity theft happens

Nearly half of Americans don’t know how to respond if they fall victim to identity theft. Acting quickly can make a huge difference. Here’s what to do:

1) Contact the affected institution: Contact the company immediately if you notice something unusual, like a suspicious charge or an unfamiliar account. They’ll guide you through securing your account.

2) Change your passwords: Update the password for the affected account and any others using the same credentials. Use strong, unique passwords for each account to avoid further risks.

3) Report the theft to the FTC: Visit IdentityTheft.gov to report identity theft and get personalized recovery steps.

4) Use an identity theft protection service: Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.

One of the best parts of using some services is that they might include identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees and a white-glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.

Bonus tip: Invest in personal data removal services

Data breaches often start with personal information that’s readily available online. People search sites and data brokers collect and sell this information, including your name, address, phone number and more. Can you get your data removed? Yes, but it’s tricky. These companies don’t make it easy, and managing removal requests for hundreds of sites can be overwhelming.

Instead, consider using a personal data removal service. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

CELLPHONE NIGHTMARE LEADS TO PORTED NUMBERS, IDENTITY THEFT, FIGHT FOR RECOVERY

Kurt’s key takeaways

Look, identity theft is scary, but you’re not helpless. By staying smart and proactive, you can dramatically reduce your risks. Think of protecting your identity like locking your front door: It’s just good common sense in today’s digital world. At the end of the day, a little awareness goes a long way, and you’ve already taken the first step by reading this article. Now, take what you’ve learned and apply it to keep you safe from cybercriminals.

What situation have you found yourself in where you felt vulnerable to identity theft or needed help protecting your personal information? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

January 27, 2025