Privacy and Data Security
Federal and state laws regulate the collection and use of personal information. The FTC and states attorney general enforce privacy-related promises made to consumers and initiates investigations and enforcement actions against organizations that violate consumers’ privacy rights and fail to implement reasonably adequate data security protocols.
Are Revisions to the Landmark California Privacy Bill Forthcoming?
In June 2018, California lawmakers passed a groundbreaking, GDPR-like privacy law. It is the strictest in the nation. The California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 provides “consumers” (i.e., natural persons that are California residents) some fundamental rights in relation to their personal information. The right to know what personal information is collected about them, where…
Read Article...Cyberattack Compromised Reddit Database
According to a recent report, Reddit has informed its users that a hacker compromised some of its systems and accessed user data stored on a 2007 database that contained usernames, passwords and posts. The report states that the information was hashed for protection and that the company is in the process of informing users that…
Read Article...NZ Company’s Re-Use of Canadian Facebook User Profiles Allegedly Violated Privacy Law
According to a recent investigation, a company that copied the profiles of millions of Facebook users around the world and then posted them on its own website violated the privacy rights of millions of Canadians. Profile Technology, a New Zealand-based company and operator of the Profile Engine website, allegedly collected profile information originally set to…
Read Article...European Parliament Suspends E.U.-U.S. Privacy Shield
Last week the European Parliament voted to suspend the Privacy Shield Framework unless it is fully compliant by September 1, 2018. The non-binding resolution was passed 303 to 223 votes, with 29 abstentions. The Privacy Shield became effective in 2016 and replaced the less restrictive E.U.-U.S. Safe Harbor. It was designed by the U.S. Department…
Read Article...Privacy Law Bulletin Publishes Article on U.S. Privacy Regulations by Richard B. Newman
The Privacy Law Bulletin (published by Lexis Nexis – subscription required) published an article authored by Richard B. Newman. The article, “Is the Repeal of U.S. Privacy Regulations a Victory for Digital Advertising?” addresses restraints on sharing personal information and the repeal of Obama-era privacy rules passed in 2016 by the Federal Communications Commission. The piece…
Read Article...Doing Business Online? Start With Security.
Federal Trade Commission Guidance and recent state legislation clearly set forth that reasonable and appropriate data security may depend upon the size and nature of one’s business. However, there are fundamental guidelines that apply across the board. Collection Collect only what is necessary. Never collect sensitive personal information that is not reasonably required. Not only…
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