Computer hardware maker ASUSTeK Computer, Inc. ("ASUS") recently settled FTC charges that the company failed to take steps to secure the software on its routers, putting hundreds of thousands of consumers at risk. Read more.
March 7, 2016
Two app developers recently paid a total of $360,000 to settle charges by the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") that they violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act ("COPPA") Rule. The cases make clear that children's privacy online remains an FTC focus. Here's what happened. Read more.
December 29, 2015
A recent decision in a long-running data security case is a must-read for corporate executives charged with ensuring the security of personal information. Read more.
November 30, 2015
Here's some news for companies that have to comply with the privacy provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ("HIPAA"). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ("HHS") has announced plans to begin auditing compliance in early 2016. Read more.
October 20, 2015
In a recent landmark decision, the Court of Justice of the European Union (the "CJEU") declared the EU-U.S. safe harbor invalid. The ruling comes out of the Schrems v. Facebook case, which has become one of the most widely followed and significant global data privacy cases to date. Read more.
October 16, 2015
The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed this week that the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") has the authority to declare companies' data security practices "unfair" under Section 5 of the FTC Act. Read more.
September 2, 2015
Starting on September 1, 2015, all companies that collect and use data across sites or apps for interest-based advertising - including carriers, apps, ad networks, brands, agencies and publishers - will be required to demonstrate compliance with the Digital Advertise Alliance's Mobile Guidance on its Self-Regulatory Principles ("DAA Mobile Guidance"), which was issued in July, 2013. Read more.
August 6, 2015
While there is no generally applicable federal law in the United States requiring all businesses to take particular steps to secure their sensitive data, the Federal Trade Commission has investigated and penalized numerous companies for failing to implement "reasonable" data security standards. Read more.
August 6, 2015
In January, 2012, the EU legislative bodies proposed an updated and more harmonized data protection law to replace the existing EU Data Protection Directive 95/46/EC. Read more.
June 4, 2015
Your e-commerce company probably has a privacy policy (if it doesn't, then it should). But is anyone checking to see that the company follows the policy? Companies that don't follow their own privacy policies can get into legal hot water pretty quickly. Read more.
May 6, 2015
The FTC recently filed complaints alleging two US businesses that claimed to be in compliance with the US-EU Safe Harbor Framework were, in fact, no longer compliant. Read more.
April 29, 2015
Snapchat Inc., developer of a popular mobile photo and video messaging app designed to bring the fabled self-destructing message to life, agreed to settle FTC allegations that it misrepresented its privacy and data security practices - including that its messages could be made to "disappear forever" seconds after viewing. Read more.
May 16, 2014
Last month California introduced two amendments to the state's privacy law, the California Online Privacy Protection Act. The amendments establish new requirements for operators of websites, online services and mobile apps that collect personal information about California residents. Read more.
October 21, 2013
In an effort to provide clarity on it its revised Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule ("Rules"), the FTC recently published a list of Frequently Asked Questions ("FAQs") with information on how to comply. Read more.
May 16, 2013
According to a recent settlement, in addition to images of the world's roads and buildings, Google's special Street View vehicles may have also collected personal information from users on unencrypted business and personal wireless networks. Read more.
April 18, 2013
The Federal Trade Commission issued a staff report on Friday recommending ways for participants in the mobile ecosystem to improve their mobile privacy disclosures. The report includes guidance tailored for key commercial players involved in the mobile area, including platforms (such as Apple's iOS and Google's Android), app developers, certain third parties (such as ad networks and analytics companies), and trade associations. Read more.
February 8, 2013
Delta Airlines was not first in flight but it did achieve a different first last month when the California Attorney General sued the company for alleged violations of a never-before-litigated state privacy law, the California Online Privacy Protection Act. Read more.
January 14, 2013
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