PrivacyRSS

  • April 2, 2012

    Google Wrong On Wi-Fi Wiretap Claim, EPIC Tells 9th Circ.

    The Electronic Privacy Information Center urged the Ninth Circuit on Friday to reject Google Inc.'s claim that unencrypted Wi-Fi signals are exempt from the federal Wiretap Act, saying the search giant should face allegations that its Street View cars illegally collected data from Wi-Fi networks.

  • April 2, 2012

    UK Watchdog Says Cos. Must Be Able To Search Customer Data

    The U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office issued new guidance Monday on the country’s long-standing Data Protection Act advising companies to set up mechanisms to thoroughly and securely search consumer data and clarifying when companies can be classified as data controllers.

  • April 2, 2012

    Senator Calls On FCC To Ban Cramming On Cellphones

    Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., urged the Federal Communications Commission on Monday to bar third-party companies from charging cellphone users fees without their explicit permission, saying cellphone carriers should receive the same amount of scrutiny as landline companies.

  • April 2, 2012

    Judge Snuffs Out Mass. City's Ban On Outdoor Tobacco Ads

    A federal judge ruled Saturday that a Worcester, Mass., law banning outdoor ads for tobacco products unconstitutionally prohibited free speech, handing a victory to Philip Morris USA Inc., Lorillard Tobacco Co., R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and a group of tobacco sellers.

  • April 2, 2012

    Apple Updates EU Warranty Disclosure After Backlash

    Apple Inc. on Monday for the first time explicitly stated that its standard product warranties in Europe cover two years, following the company's unsuccessful appeal of a $1.2 million fine by an Italian regulator for allegedly tricking consumers into buying an unnecessary warranty extension. 

  • April 2, 2012

    Bayer Gets 3 False Ad Class Actions In NJ Nixed

    A federal judge on Friday dismissed three proposed class actions filed in New Jersey against Bayer AG because another suit pending in California was lodged first and is based on the same false advertising claims.

  • April 2, 2012

    Rising Star: Gibson Dunn's Joshua Jessen

    Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP associate Joshua Jessen's trailblazing work in the emerging data privacy litigation area, especially his successful arguments that class action plaintiffs have lacked standing to file a complaint because there was no injury to them, have earned him a spot as one of five attorneys under 40 to be honored by Law360 as a rising legal star in the privacy and consumer protection practice areas.

  • April 2, 2012

    Raw Milk Backers Lack Standing To Fight Sales Ban: Judge

    An Iowa federal judge on Monday dismissed a suit claiming a federal ban on interstate raw milk sales violated privacy rights, after finding individual advocates lacked standing to sue because the U.S. government had made it clear the ban wouldn't be enforced against them.

  • April 2, 2012

    Venable Snags Cybersecurity, IP Pro From Tech Co.

    Venable LLP said last week a former senior vice president and general counsel of online services company Network Solutions LLC has joined its Washington, D.C., and Virginia offices as a partner focusing on data security, privacy and intellectual property matters.

  • March 30, 2012

    EU Officials Bash Proposed Data Protection Overhaul

    Europe's national privacy regulators and the German Parliament separately criticized the new European Union privacy framework this week, saying the proposed data protection regulation unlawfully expands the European Commission's legislative and regulatory authority.

  • March 30, 2012

    Canada Eases Consumer Spamming Protections

    Canada's broadcasting and telecommunications regulator unveiled final anti-spamming regulations on Wednesday that eased the consent and disclosure requirements for companies that send consumers a broad range of unsolicited electronic communications, while imposing more stringent consent obligations for the installation of potentially invasive computer programs.

  • March 30, 2012

    Consumer Wants High Court Review Of JPMorgan FCRA Row

    A Connecticut man who says his credit rating nosedived after JPMorgan Chase Bank NA handed bogus information to Equifax Inc. asked the U.S. Supreme Court this month to review his complaint, contending lower courts wrongly ignored part of the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

  • March 30, 2012

    FTC Enforcers Tout Benefits Of Facebook Privacy Deal

    Federal Trade Commission directors on Friday defended a privacy order the agency placed on Facebook Inc. last fall, saying the company's actions had shown it needed stricter privacy guidelines than its rivals and that the order hardly put an anti-competitive burden on the social media giant. 

  • March 30, 2012

    Issa Brings Resolution To Slam Obama Over Recess Picks

    Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., on Friday introduced a resolution slamming President Barack Obama for making recess appointments in January to the National Labor Relations Board and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, saying that Congress never took a long enough break to allow the appointments.

  • March 30, 2012

    Judge Combines Class Actions Over Apple's Siri Ads

    A California federal judge on Thursday consolidated a pair of putative class actions against Apple Inc. alleging the voice-activated Siri feature in its iPhone 4S does not function as advertised, in violation of state consumer protection laws.

  • March 30, 2012

    Expedia Lobs EU Antitrust, Consumer Suit At Google

    Expedia Inc. on Friday filed an antitrust and consumer protection complaint with the European Commission against Google Inc., the latest in a string of filings accusing the tech giant of abusing its power as market leader for online searches and advertisements.

  • March 30, 2012

    Senate OKs 2nd Term For FTC Chairman, Fills Commish Post

    The U.S. Senate has approved a second term for Federal Trade Commission chairman Jon Leibowitz and appointed Republican Maureen Ohlhausen to her first term as FTC commissioner, the FTC said Friday.

  • March 30, 2012

    Groupon To Pay $8.5M To End MDL Over Shortdated Deals

    Groupon Inc. has reached an $8.5 million settlement with the plaintiffs in multidistrict litigation accusing the daily deal giant of selling certificates with illegal expiration dates, according to documents filed in California federal court Thursday.

  • March 30, 2012

    Apple Wins Arbitration Bid In IPhone 3G Messaging MDL

    A Louisiana federal judge on Friday threw out claims surrounding Apple Inc.'s iPhone 3G and 3GS messaging systems, saying the multidistrict litigation belongs in arbitration as outlined in service agreements consumers signed with AT&T Mobility LLC when they purchased the devices.

  • March 30, 2012

    Rising Star: Reed Smith's Paul Bond

    Finding success litigating for large clients like E-Trade Financial Corp. and providing critical compliance counsel for corporations, Reed Smith LLP partner Paul Bond has earned a place among Law360's four rising stars under 40 to watch in the privacy and consumer protection industry.