Category: Privacy Law

October 4, 2022

New California Law Establishes Broad Protections for Children’s Online Privacy – Exceeding Federal Requirements

California made history in September as the first state to enact legislation that punishes technology companies for violations of minors’ privacy and for practices that jeopardize minors’ safety in an effort to prioritize “the privacy, safety, and well-being of children over commercial interests.”  On September 15th, Governor Newsom signed The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act… Read More

October 4, 2017

Customer Data Collection: GDPR Changes Everything.

Beginning on May 25, 2018, companies which process the personal data of European Union residents will be expected to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR. Even companies located in the United States are subject to this regulation, and violating its terms may result in class actions and hefty fines. If your company… Read More

November 10, 2016

How The FTC Guides Businesses Through Data Breaches

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently released a data breach guide for businesses, along with a video and blog to help companies following the immediate aftermath of a data breach.  The FTC also provides a model data breach letter to notify individuals of a breach.  The agency – which views itself as the nation’s primary… Read More

April 20, 2016

Judge Flunks Case Against LabMD, FTC Appeals

In March 2015, I wrote about the ongoing dispute between the FTC and LabMD, an Atlanta-based cancer screening laboratory, and looked at whether the FTC has the authority to take enforcement action over data-security practices alleged to be insufficient and therefore “unfair” under section 5(n) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (“FTCA”). On November 13,… Read More

March 10, 2016

Latest German Sausage? Privacy-Wurst by Facebook

Despite not being explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, the Supreme Court has firmly held that a right to privacy for all Americans is found in several amendments to the Constitution, with almost 100 years of case law providing precedent for many personal privacy rights that have become a cornerstone of American culture. However, in this… Read More

November 3, 2015

Highlights And Takeaways from the October 30th FTC Lead Generation Workshop

  Exploiting consumers and exploiting consumer data were popular themes in the FTC’s October 30th workshop on lead generation, “Follow the Lead.” The day-long workshop explored the mechanics of lead generation and its role in the online marketplace. With a focus on the lending and education spaces, panelists discussed the many layers of marketing involved… Read More

July 9, 2015

State Attorneys General Tell Congress: “Back-Off Our Data Breach Authority”

  Every week, we learn about new data breaches affecting consumers across the country. Federal government workers and retirees recently received the unsettling news that a breach compromised their personal information, including social security numbers, job history, pay, race, and benefits. Amid a host of other public relations issues, the Trump organization recently discovered a potential… Read More

May 26, 2015

Keeping Your Privacy Promises: Retail Tracking and Opt-Out Choices

  As children, many of us were taught how important it is to “keep your word.” Similarly, it is black letter privacy law that if a company commits (for instance, in a privacy policy or in website statements) to certain actions or practices, such as maintaining certain security features or implementing consumers’ choices on opt-outs,… Read More

May 20, 2015

Yelp Fights for the Right to Complain Anonymously

  In e-commerce, user reviews can make or break a business.  Review sites such as Yelp are a double edged sword for merchants and service providers: on one hand satisfied customers can generate buzz about the company and bring in new customers, and on the other hand dissatisfied customers can use it as a very… Read More