On February 27, 2013, the European Article 29 Working Party (a group comprising representatives from all of the data protection authorities of the EU Member States, referred to in this articles as “WP29”) issued an Opinion on the privacy and data protection implications of the use of apps on mobile devices (“the Opinion”). The Opinion… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: Data Protection
A Fistful of Data: Facebook and Profile Technology, Inc. Showdown Over the Right to Use Outdated User Information
Posted in Litigation, PrivacyAs social media matures and users become more concerned about the privacy of the information they publish online, New Zealand-based search engine app company Profile Technology, Inc. and Facebook are engaged in a legal battle stemming from a dispute over the right to use certain user data. The story first came to light in October… Continue Reading
German Court Says Facebook Not Subject to German Law
Posted in LitigationFacebook may be gaining ground in its struggle against German authorities. In a preliminary ruling, the state of Schleswig-Holstein’s Administrative Court has rejected penalties against Facebook Inc. and Facebook Ireland, stating that the social network is not subject to German law. The Schleswig-Holstein state data protection authority (the ULD) started enforcement proceedings against the social… Continue Reading
FTC Announces Important Settlement With Social Networking App and Releases New Mobile App Report
Posted in FTC, Litigation, PrivacyThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a potentially groundbreaking settlement with the social networking app Path and released an important new staff report on Mobile Privacy Disclosures late last week. The FTC’s Settlement with Path suggests a new standard may be on the near-term horizon: out-of-policy, just-in-time notice and express consent for the collection of… Continue Reading
Jailbreak: U.S. Google Executives’ Italian Convictions Overturned
Posted in Litigation, PrivacyOn December 21, 2012, the third Milan appeals court acquitted three U.S.-based Google executives who had previously been convicted for breaches of Italian data protection law after Google failed to remove an abusive video from its Google Video site. The video, which showed schoolboys bullying a child with Down syndrome, remained on the Google Video… Continue Reading
FTC Snuffs Out Online “History Sniffing”
Posted in FTC, PrivacyThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has cracked down on a company that was engaged in “history sniffing,” a means of online tracking that digs up information embedded in web browsers to reveal the websites that users have visited. In a proposed settlement with Epic Marketplace, Inc. and Epic Media Group (together, “EMG”) announced on December… Continue Reading
FTC’s Privacy Report Suggests Tightening of Privacy Regime, Provides Guidance to Business
Posted in FTC, PrivacyOn March 26, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission (the “Commission” or “FTC”) released its much-anticipated final privacy report, Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change. The report builds upon the Commission’s December 2010 preliminary report, and provides recommendations for businesses and policymakers with respect to online and offline privacy practices. The report will… Continue Reading
Facebook Not “Liked” in Europe, Overhauls Its Privacy Settings
Posted in PrivacyFacebook’s “Like” button has been creating problems for Facebook in Europe. Thilo Weichert, the data protection commissioner for the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, has told all website owners based in the state to stop using web analytics associated with Facebook, including its “Like” button. “Facebook builds a broad individual and for members even a… Continue Reading
The FTC Proposes Changes to Its COPPA Rule – And Why Every Website Operator Should Pay Attention
Posted in PrivacyThe Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently released proposed amendments to its rule (“Rule”) implementing the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”). The Rule requires the operator of a website or online service to obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from a child under the age of 13. If adopted as drafted, the revised… Continue Reading