Socially Aware

March 14, 2019 - European Union, Data Security, Privacy
The Cookie Wall Must Go Up. Or Not?
By: Alex van der Wolk and Mercedes Samavi
One of the next big items in Europe will be the expansion of “ePrivacy,” (which, among other things, regulates the use of cookies on websites). While the ePrivacy reform is still being worked on by EU lawmakers, one of the items the ePrivacy Regulation
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March 08, 2019 - FTC, Data Security, Privacy, COPPA
Thank You, Next Enforcement: Music Video App Violates COPPA, Will Pay $5.7 Million
By: Julie O'Neill
The cost for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) has been steadily rising, and companies subject to the law should take heed. Last week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a record-setting $5.7 million settlement with the mobile app company Musical.ly for
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January 30, 2019 - Data Security, Privacy
California AG Hosts Two More Public Forums on CCPA in Riverside and Los Angeles
By: Purvi G. Patel and Nathan D. Taylor
The California Attorney General continued its series of public forums regarding the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), with forums last week in Riverside (January 24, 2019) and Los Angeles (January 25, 2019). As in the previous forums, there were a significant number of attendees,
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January 29, 2019 - Data Security, Privacy
California Attorney General Holds First California Consumer Privacy Act Public Forum
By: Purvi G. Patel and Nathan D. Taylor
In anticipation of preparing rules to implement the California Consumer Privacy Act, the California Attorney General recently announced six public forums that he will host in January and February 2019 across California. On January 8, 2019, the AG hosted the first of these forums
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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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March 12, 2018 - First Amendment, Protected Speech, Privacy, Online Contracts, Copyright, Defamation, Compliance, IP, Litigation
Social Links: Inline link to tweet with photo could constitute copyright infringement; proposed California legislation could restrict website operators’ efforts to have minors consent to terms of use
By: Aaron P. Rubin
In a decision that has generated considerable controversy, a federal court in New York has held that the popular practice of embedding tweets into websites and blogs can result in copyright infringement. Plaintiff Justin Goldman had taken a photo of NFL quarterback Tom Brady,
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March 08, 2018 - Privacy, Cloud Computing, Litigation
U.S. v. Microsoft Leaves SCOTUS Between a Rock and a Hard Place
In February the U.S Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Microsoft. At issue is Microsoft’s challenge to a warrant issued by a U.S. court directing it to produce emails stored in Ireland. With implications for government investigations, privacy law, and multi-national tech
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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 23, 2018 - Advertising, Endorsement Guides, Electronic Contracts, Influencer Marketing, Marketing, Privacy, Social Media Policy, Event, User-Generated Content, Compliance, Online Endorsements
Social Media 2018: Addressing Corporate Risks
As Socially Aware readers know, social media is transforming the way companies interact with consumers. Learn how to make the most of these online opportunities while minimizing your company’s legal risks at Practising Law Institute’s (PLI) 2018 Social Media conference, to be held in San
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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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