Cybersecurity & Privacy

  • April 05, 2024

    Solar Company Hit With TCPA Suit After $13.8M FTC Fine

    Months after the Federal Trade Commission slapped lead generation firm Solar Xchange with a $13.8 million fine for sending out millions of pestering calls to people on the National Do-Not-Call Registry, one recipient of those calls has filed suit in Massachusetts federal court to seek his own recompense.

  • April 05, 2024

    Judicial Nominees On Schumer's Post-Recess To-Do List

    Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., laid out on Friday a busy agenda for when Congress returns next week, which includes confirming the president's judicial nominees.

  • April 05, 2024

    Ex-Acting Homeland Security GC Joins Nixon Peabody In DC

    Nixon Peabody LLP has hired the former acting general counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who joins the firm after working with the agency for more than two decades and through four presidential administrations.

  • April 04, 2024

    Google Ad Privacy Class Loses Cert. Bid, For Now

    A California federal judge Thursday refused to certify a class of potentially tens of millions of Google account holders alleging the company's ad auction practices violate privacy rights, saying that while the consumers have hit many certification requirements, the current class definition is improperly fail-safe.

  • April 04, 2024

    CFPB's Privacy Efforts Extend Beyond Banks, Chopra Says

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is looking to wield its "significant" power to crack down on data privacy abuses to tackle a range of issues that go beyond traditional banking activities, including by crafting new restrictions on data brokers' ability to amass personal data and exploring risks facing consumers in the digital gaming market, the agency's head Rohit Chopra said Thursday.

  • April 04, 2024

    CFPB Says Online Games May Pose Financial Risks To Users

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Thursday that it sees significant financial and privacy risks facing consumers in the multibillion-dollar digital gaming market and will be keeping a close eye on online game and "virtual world" business practices as these platforms become increasingly financialized.

  • April 04, 2024

    SEC Officials Say Existing Policies Key To Cyber Rule Reports

    Companies grappling with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's new rule to publicly disclose material cybersecurity incidents will have an easier time defending reporting missteps if they work to put robust policies in place before a breach occurs, a pair of agency officials said Thursday. 

  • April 04, 2024

    5th Circ. Scrutinizes Data-Tracking On La. Health Provider Site

    A Fifth Circuit panel questioned Louisiana health care providers Thursday on the use of "tracking pixels" on their website, asking counsel for the providers whether a third party like Facebook could access patient records without patient permission.

  • April 04, 2024

    Oracle Gets Wiretap Claim Cut From Data Collection Fight

    A California federal judge on Wednesday trimmed a proposed class action alleging Oracle illegally sold internet users' "electronic profiles," finding that new allegations that executive Larry Ellison admitted Oracle's new technology was "scaring the lawyers" aren't enough to show tortious intent to plead a viable Electronic Communications Privacy Act claim.

  • April 04, 2024

    Ga. OB-GYN Office Hit With Data Breach Class Action

    An Atlanta OB-GYN practice has been hit with a class action in Georgia federal court over a January data breach that allegedly impacted the personal and protected health information of tens of thousands of patients.

  • April 04, 2024

    Ex-BigLaw Atty's Defamation Injunction Bid Meets Skepticism

    The Florida federal judge overseeing a $150 million defamation case between an ex-Greenberg Traurig LLP partner and a social media personality accused of mounting a harassment campaign against him declined, for now, to issue an injunction against alleged cyberstalking and indicated the petition may be better suited for state court.

  • April 04, 2024

    W.Va. Plaintiff Drops Telemarketing Claim Against Fla. Firm

    A West Virginia woman who alleged in a putative class action that law firms had bombarded her and others with unwanted legal advertising phone calls has announced a joint dismissal with one of the firms involved.

  • April 03, 2024

    FTC Won't Overlook 'Unanticipated' Harms, Slaughter Says

    The Federal Trade Commission won't hesitate to go after companies and their executives that fail to take steps to address the broad range of privacy harms and other risks that can arise from the emergence of new digital technologies, particularly in the wake of a recent federal court ruling that backed this theory, Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter said Wednesday. 

  • April 03, 2024

    Calif. Privacy Rules Expected By July, Agency's Director Says

    The California Privacy Protection Agency is eyeing July for the launch of the formal process for finalizing its last batch of regulations under the state's landmark consumer privacy law, which include rules that would give consumers more control over private information that could be used by artificial intelligence, the agency's executive director said Wednesday. 

  • April 03, 2024

    Judge Consolidates Wells Fargo Unwanted Products Suits

    A San Francisco federal judge has consolidated five suits asserting proposed class claims that the bank sought to shortchange customers who deserved compensation after they were enrolled in financial products without their knowledge.

  • April 03, 2024

    Models Get $95K Default Win In Strip Club Piracy Suit

    A Washington federal judge ordered a Seattle strip club to pay a group of professional models $95,000 in damages on Wednesday, after finding it had engaged in "amateur piracy" by using their photos without permission and failed to defend itself.

  • April 03, 2024

    Mass. Justices Leery Of Meta, Google Cookie 'Wiretap' Claims

    Justices on Massachusetts' highest court hinted on Wednesday that they are unlikely to open the door to potentially thousands of privacy lawsuits against website operators over their use of tracking cookies like Meta Pixel and others from Google Analytics, in a closely watched case over whether such trackers violate a state wiretap law.

  • April 03, 2024

    Amazon Book Scammer Can't Trim Prison Time

    The Sixth Circuit affirmed a 16-year prison sentence Tuesday for a man who scammed Amazon by renting textbooks from the e-commerce giant and then selling them at a profit, ultimately costing Amazon approximately $3.2 million.

  • April 03, 2024

    Pillsbury Adds BakerHostetler Data Privacy Duo In SF

    Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is growing its data security team, announcing Wednesday it is bringing in a pair of BakerHostetler data privacy and technology experts as partners in its San Francisco office.

  • April 03, 2024

    FCC Says Repeat 'Slammer' Can't Collect From Victim

    The Federal Communications Commission is once again ordering Clear Rate Communications to remove charges to a subscriber who the agency says was a victim of the telecom provider's "slamming," less than two months after issuing a similar finding against the company in February.

  • April 03, 2024

    Houston Firm Ditches Proposed Data Breach Class Action

    A Texas federal judge threw out a proposed class action accusing Fleming Nolen & Jez LLP of waiting a month to disclose a cyberattack that exposed more than 100 clients' protected health information, citing the lead plaintiff's admission that she didn't even know if any of her data was compromised.

  • April 03, 2024

    FCC To Vote On Net Neutrality Plan At Late April Meeting

    The Federal Communications Commission said Wednesday the agency will vote April 25 on a Democratic proposal floated in October to restore net neutrality rules last imposed on internet services during the Obama administration, but repealed by Republicans in 2017.

  • April 02, 2024

    Crypto Co. Beats RICO But Not Fraud Claim Over $186M Hack

    A Delaware federal judge has significantly trimmed a proposed class action accusing companies behind a blockchain system that enabled users to transfer crypto of running an illegal money-transmitting business and misrepresenting the system's security measures before a $186 million hack, saying the suit's racketeering, negligence and conversion claims all fail.

  • April 02, 2024

    Calif. Regulator Urges Cos. To Only Collect Needed Data

    The California Privacy Protection Agency on Tuesday cautioned businesses to only collect or use consumers' personal information when it's needed and to avoid collecting anything beyond that, issuing its first of several planned advisories clarifying companies' obligations under the California Consumer Privacy Act.

  • April 02, 2024

    Amazon Driver Took, Shared Pics of Actor's Home, Suit Says

    Actor Deon Cole sued Amazon in California state court alleging that one of its delivery drivers took photos of the inside of his home and shared them in a group chat while dropping off groceries, saying Amazon negligently and recklessly hired the driver.

Expert Analysis

  • How Consumer Product Cos. Can Keep Up With Class Actions

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    Recent cases show California's federal courts and the Ninth Circuit remain the preferred arena for consumers pursuing false advertising and trade deception claims against companies — so manufacturers, distributors and retailers of consumer products should continue to watch these courts for guidance on how to fight class actions, say attorneys at Dechert.

  • Series

    Competing In Triathlons Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    While practicing law and competing in long-distance triathlons can make work and life feel unbalanced at times, participating in the sport has revealed important lessons about versatility, self-care and perseverance that apply to the office as much as they do the racecourse, says Laura Heusel at Butler Snow.

  • What's In NY's Draft Guidance On AI Use In Insurance

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    Last week, the New York State Department of Financial Services released proposed guidance for insurers on the use of artificial intelligence systems and external consumer data and information sources for underwriting and pricing purposes, and these standards will likely help form the basis of an eventual nationwide insurance regulatory framework on AI, say attorneys at Sullivan & Cromwell.

  • Mitigating Compliance And Litigation Risks Of Evolving Tech

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    Amid artificial intelligence and other technological advances, companies must prepare for the associated risks, including a growing suite of privacy regulations, enterprising class action theories and consumer protection challenges, and proliferating disclosure obligations, say attorneys at Eversheds Sutherland.

  • Where Justices Stand On Chevron Doctrine Post-Argument

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    Following recent oral argument at the U.S. Supreme Court, at least four justices appear to be in favor of overturning the long-standing Chevron deference, and three justices seem ready to uphold it, which means the ultimate decision may rest on Chief Justice John Roberts' vote, say Wayne D'Angelo and Zachary Lee at Kelley Drye.

  • Perspectives

    6 Practice Pointers For Pro Bono Immigration Practice

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    An attorney taking on their first pro bono immigration matter may find the law and procedures beguiling, but understanding key deadlines, the significance of individual immigration judges' rules and specialized aspects of the practice can help avoid common missteps, says Steven Malm at Haynes Boone.

  • ECJ Ruling Triggers Reconsiderations Of Using AI In Hiring

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    A recent European Court of Justice ruling, clarifying that the General Data Protection Regulation could apply to decisions made by artificial intelligence, serves as a warning to employers, as the use of AI in recruitment may lead to more discrimination claims, say Dino Wilkinson and James Major at Clyde & Co.

  • Lessons From Country Singer's Personal Service Saga

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    Recent reports that country singer Luke Combs won a judgment against a Florida woman who didn’t receive notice of the counterfeit suit against her should serve as a reminder for attorneys on best practices for effectuating service by electronic means, say attorneys at Jenner & Block.

  • New Tech, Old Tricks: How GCs Can Fight White Collar Crime

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    As emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency provide bad actors with new avenues to commit classic crimes, general counsel should develop a strategy to future-proof their organizations against such threats and prepare for regulatory scrutiny, say directors at FTI Consulting.

  • 5 AI Risks For Corporate Boards To Examine

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    Whether companies are building their own artificial intelligence technology or leveraging third-party tools, their directors should get educated on certain legal issues and business risks to ensure the adoption of policies that foster responsible use of generative AI, say James Gatto and Tiana Garbett at Sheppard Mullin.

  • How Data Privacy Law Cases Are Evolving In UK, EU And US

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    To see where the law is heading in 2024, it is worth looking at privacy litigation and enforcement trends from last year, where we saw a focus on General Data Protection Regulation regulatory enforcement actions in the U.K. and EU, and class actions brought by private plaintiffs in the U.S., say lawyers at Morgan Lewis.

  • Companies Should Beware Greater Scrutiny Of Subscriptions

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    The New York Attorney General's Office has been utilizing a severe interpretation of the law in enforcement against subscription services, as demonstrated in last month's Sirius XM complaint and Cerebral settlement — and this focus is representative of heightened subscription scrutiny in other states and at the federal level, say attorneys at Venable.

  • Uncharted Waters Ahead For FCA Litigation In 2024

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    Following a year of significant court decisions, settlements, recoveries and proposed amendments, 2024 promises to be a lively year for False Claims Act actions and litigation, and one that will hopefully provide more clarity as FCA jurisprudence evolves, say attorneys at Crowell & Moring.

  • Takeaways From FTC Children's Privacy Rule Proposal

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    The Federal Trade Commission’s recently issued and long-awaited proposed revisions to its Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule are not as seismic as might have been expected under current leadership, and show that the agency's COPPA rulemaking is far from over, says Phyllis Marcus at Hunton.

  • Series

    Baking Bread Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    After many years practicing law, and a few years baking bread, I have learned that there are a few keys to success in both endeavors, including the assembly of a nourishing and resilient culture, and the ability to learn from failure and exercise patience, says Rick Robinson at Reed Smith.

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