The FTC’s Spokeo Settlement Highlights Social Media-Related Legal Risks
- - FTC, LitigationThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently reached an $800,000 settlement with the data broker Spokeo, Inc. (“Spokeo”). The FTC’s complaint alleged violations not normally seen together: First, that Spokeo distributed personal information for background checks by employers in ways that failed to comply with... ›
More Change Coming: The FTC Proposes Further Significant Changes to Its COPPA Rule
By: Julie O'Neill
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (“COPPA”), which became effective in April 2000, has long served as the primary regulatory tool of the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) to police online privacy issues concerning children under 13. The COPPA Rule (the “Rule”),... ›The NLRB Weighs In (Again) On Social Media Policies
With the issuance of its third guidance document on workplace social media policies in the past year, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) continues to refine its position on how to craft workplace social media policies that are consistent with the terms of the... ›We’ve Come for Your Tweets: Twitter to Appeal Denial of Its Motion to Quash District Attorney’s Subpoena
By: J. Alexander Lawrence
As the Occupy Wall Street protests fade from memory, a related discovery battle between Twitter and the New York County District Attorney rages on. Earlier this year, we discussed the District Attorney’s efforts to subpoena user information and tweets of criminal defendant Malcolm Harris,... ›- - Privacy
California Attorney General Creates Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit; Increased Enforcement Likely
On July 19th, California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced the formation of a new Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit within the state’s Department of Justice. The move is widely seen as a means of stepping up the state’s enforcement activities involving privacy issues.... › - - FTC, Litigation
Face Off: Consumer Sues Hockey Team Over Text Messages
By: Julie O'Neill
Earlier this year, Fred Weiss, a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team fan, responded to an offer to receive text messages alerting him to team news and special offers. Although the terms pertaining to the call-to-action apparently promised Weiss that he would receive no more than... › The Social Media Experiment: Challenges for Broker-Dealers and Investment Advisers
The announcement by a Wall Street firm that it plans to give its financial advisers limited access to social media websites has been viewed by many as inevitable. Morgan Stanley’s foray into the fast-changing world of social media highlights the difficulties faced by broker-dealers... ›“You Have One New Lawsuit”: Can You Serve Legal Notice Through Social Media?
By: Daniel P. Levison
As reported by Law36 0 and several other sources, on June 7, 2012, in Fortunato v. Chase Bank, a federal district court ruled that defendant Chase Bank could not use Facebook to serve a third-party defendant with the complaint that Chase had filed against... ›What, What (In the Court): South Park Studios Shielded by Fair Use for Viral Video Parody
The Seventh Circuit held recently in Brownmark Films, LLC v. Comedy Partners that, under certain circumstances, a trial court may dismiss a copyright infringement case based on a fair use defense prior to discovery. Over the years, the satiric Comedy Central cartoon program South... ›- - Event
Morrison & Foerster and Grant Thornton Event: JOBS Act, Theory and Practice
The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (JOBS Act) is resulting in significant changes to the way in which public and private offerings are conducted, presenting new funding opportunities and strategies for emerging growth companies. Please join Morrison & Foerster and Grant Thornton on Wednesday,... ›