Socially Aware

July 19, 2018 - Data Security, Privacy
Location Information Is Protected by the 4th Amendment, SCOTUS Rules
By: Robert S. Litt
As close observers of the implications of privacy law on companies’ data collection, usage and disclosure practices , we at Socially Aware were among the many tech-law enthusiasts anticipating the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Carpenter v. United States , in which the
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February 07, 2018 - Class Actions, Data Security, Privacy, Litigation
Amended California Law Expands Requirements for Consumer Subscriptions
By: Anthony M. Ramirez and Julie O'Neill
Companies that offer services, whether online or offline, to consumers on a subscription or other automatic renewal basis should be aware that such offers are heavily regulated at both the federal and state levels. A recent amendment to Section 17602 of California’s Business and
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January 18, 2018 - Internet of Things, Data Security, Privacy, Cybersecurity, Product Liability, Compliance
Connected Devices Bring New Product Liability Challenges
By: Erin M. Bosman and Julie Y. Park
“My Google Home Mini was inadvertently spying on me 24/7 due to a hardware flaw,” wrote a tech blogger who purchased Google Inc.’s latest internet of things (IoT) device. Following the incident, a pact of consumer advocacy groups insisted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
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November 09, 2017 - Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Data Security, Influencer Marketing, Cyberbullying
Social Links: Potential cures for cyberbullying & other social media ills; cross-device tracking could imperil employers; should AI be regulated?
By: Aaron P. Rubin
After British police unsuccessfully tried to get the blogging platform WordPress.com to remove offensive and threatening posts, the deputy leader of the UK’s Labour Party vowed to urge changes that would make the country’s laws less tolerant of online abuse. As bipartisan U.S. legislation
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November 01, 2017 - Advertising, Data Security, Influencer Marketing, Marketing, Privacy
Brands Beware: FTC Continues Campaign on Social Media Influencer Disclosures
By: Julie O'Neill
With much fanfare , the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) continues to take actions relating to so-called “social media influencers” who allegedly fail to disclose material connections to the products or brands they endorse. Recurring enforcement actions and guidance—and the FTC’s ongoing promotion of its
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September 05, 2017 - FTC, Data Security, Cybersecurity, Compliance
More Insight From the FTC on Data Security—or More of the Same?
By: Julie O'Neill
Recent challenges to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) authority to police data security practices have criticized the agency’s failure to provide adequate guidance to companies. In other words, the criticism goes, businesses do not know what they need to do to avoid a charge
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August 25, 2017 - Data Security, Privacy, Cybersecurity
In-Depth Report: Privacy + Data Security
By: Aaron P. Rubin
As Socially Aware readers know, privacy and data security issues are among the most critical legal issues confronting companies that do business online. With ransomware attacks and hacking incidents on the rise, and with privacy and data security laws becoming increasingly burdensome, companies are
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July 16, 2017 - European Union, Data Security, Privacy
German Parliament Enacts Wide-ranging Surveillance Powers Allowing End User Devices to Be Hacked by Authorities
By: Christoph Nüßing
On June 22, 2017, the German Parliament passed a bill that, among other things, awards extensive surveillance powers to law enforcement authorities. The new law, once in force, will allow law enforcement to covertly install software on end user devices allowing the interception of
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May 17, 2017 - Data Security, Privacy
8 Steps to Avoid Being the Victim of the Next Ransomware Attack
By: Nathan D. Taylor
The global WannaCry ransomware attack should be a wake up call for all companies about the threat ransomware poses. While WannaCry was one of the first highly publicized attacks in which ransomware was weaponized and used against numerous companies at once, there will undoubtedly
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April 12, 2017 - Data Security, Cybersecurity
Overview of Ransomware Attacks
By: Aaron P. Rubin
In the most recent edition of his CyberSide Chat series, Socially Aware contributor Andy Serwin discusses ransomware attacks, including: the reasons why ransomware attacks are becoming more common; the types of ransomware attacks companies should prepare to address; and the strategies that companies can
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