Welcome to Socially Aware

Socially Aware is devoted to the law and business of social media, proactively addressing emerging issues and keeping our clients informed of new developments. We cover fields such as artificial intelligence, privacy and data security, Section 230, intellectual property, and much more.

November 02, 2016 - E-Commerce, European Union, Compliance
European Commission Publishes Draft Regulation Prohibiting Geo-Blocking by Online Traders and Content Publishers
As part of the European Commission’s Digital Single Market initiative, the European Commission has published a draft Regulation aimed at preventing traders from discriminating against customers located in other EU Member States by denying those customers access to e-commerce sites, or by redirecting those
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October 31, 2016 - Endorsement Guides, Internet of Things, Data Security, Cyberbullying, Marketing, Social Media Policy
Social Links: IoT Causes Web Outage; YouTube Makes Endorsement Disclosure Convenient; NFL’s Social Media Policy Imposes Fines
By: Aaron P. Rubin
The Internet of Things is apparently to blame for the Web outage that paralyzed the online world earlier this month. Justin Timberlake took down his “ballot selfie” from Instagram after Tennessee authorities made clear that it was illegal. Presumably in order to help facilitate
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October 24, 2016 - Privacy, Stored Communications Act, Litigation
Second Circuit: Email Stored Outside the U.S. Might Be Beyond Government’s Reach
As a result of the Second Circuit’s recent opinion in Microsoft v. United States , the U.S. government likely can no longer use warrants issued pursuant to the Stored Communications Act (“SCA”) to compel U.S.-based companies to produce communications, such as emails, that are
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October 05, 2016 - Cyberbullying, Privacy, Free Speech, Wearable Computers
Social Links: Facebook at Work; Google’s Allo messaging app; Snapchat’s Spectacles
By: Aaron P. Rubin
Facebook at Work , the on-the-job version of the web’s most popular social media platform, will launch in London on October 10th. Add iHeartRadio to the list of Internet radio platforms that will be offering an on demand music streaming service. California law will
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October 04, 2016 - Social Media Policy, Infographic
Social Media Safety Guide for Companies
We’re delighted to publish our Social Media Safety Guide for Companies , which highlights key considerations to keep in mind in using social media to promote your company’s products and services and to engage with customers. Social media has been referred to as the
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September 26, 2016 - Internet of Things, Data Security, Cyberbullying, Marketing, Privacy, Online Reviews, Litigation
Social Links: Yelp’s Communications Decency Act claim; Twitter loosens its character limit; building a Snapchat audience
By: Aaron P. Rubin
The California Supreme Court agreed to hear Yelp’s case arguing that requiring the company to remove a one-star review of a law firm “creates a gaping hole” in the immunity that shields internet service providers from suits related to user-generated content. Images, videos and
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September 26, 2016 - Data Security, Hacking
5 Questions to Help Prepare for a Ransomware Attack
By: Nathan D. Taylor
The news has been filled this year with reports of ransomware attacks against companies and government agencies, including even law enforcement. Ransomware refers to a type of malware that encrypts or otherwise restricts access to a machine or device. As part of the attack, the attacker
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September 23, 2016 - Data Security, Privacy, Hacking, Litigation
Cybercrime and Victim Shaming
By: Aaron P. Rubin
Our Morrison & Foerster colleague and Socially Aware contributor Miriam Wugmeister has published a thought provoking and insightful op-ed piece in The Hill on how companies that are the targets of cyberattacks are too often treated as suspects, rather than victims, by regulators. In her op-ed,
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September 20, 2016 - Advertising, First Amendment, European Union, Live streaming, Cyberbullying, Marketing, Privacy, Litigation
Social Links: Instagram’s “offensive comment” filter; Twitter’s TV app; YouTube’s “Community” feature
By: Aaron P. Rubin
Instagram now allows users to hide offensive comments posted to their feeds. Take that trolls! Soon you’ll be able to watch Twitter content like NFL Thursday Night Football on a Twitter app on Apple TV, Xbox One and Amazon Fire TV. “Ballot selfie” laws—laws
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September 19, 2016 - Advertising
Interest-Based Advertising Disclosure Requirements Become More Clear—and Potentially More Burdensome
By: Julie O'Neill
Recent enforcement decisions within the digital advertising industry indicate a shift in—and a clarification of—the required disclosures for companies engaged in interest-based advertising (IBA). In particular, these decisions, taken together, indicate that an app developer’s link to its privacy policy at the point of
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Welcome to Socially Aware

European Commission Publishes Draft Regulation Prohibiting Geo-Blocking by Online Traders and Content Publishers

Social Links: IoT Causes Web Outage; YouTube Makes Endorsement Disclosure Convenient; NFL’s Social Media Policy Imposes Fines

By: Aaron P. Rubin

Second Circuit: Email Stored Outside the U.S. Might Be Beyond Government’s Reach

Social Links: Facebook at Work; Google’s Allo messaging app; Snapchat’s Spectacles

By: Aaron P. Rubin

Social Media Safety Guide for Companies

Social Links: Yelp’s Communications Decency Act claim; Twitter loosens its character limit; building a Snapchat audience

By: Aaron P. Rubin

5 Questions to Help Prepare for a Ransomware Attack

By: Nathan D. Taylor

Cybercrime and Victim Shaming

By: Aaron P. Rubin

Social Links: Instagram’s “offensive comment” filter; Twitter’s TV app; YouTube’s “Community” feature

By: Aaron P. Rubin

Interest-Based Advertising Disclosure Requirements Become More Clear—and Potentially More Burdensome

By: Julie O'Neill