Tag Archives: Mobile

Babies and Baby-making, or Not… Privacy and Security Lessons for the Internet of Things

By Alan L. Friel on Posted in Internet of Things
What do babies, sex toys and wireless head phones have in common? Apparently, the privacy concerns of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), state AGs and legislatures, class action plaintiffs, and consumer advocacy groups, at least when it comes to the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT refers to consumer devices that are connected, directly or … Continue Reading

Mobile Ad Co Settles with FTC Over Allegations of Deceptive Geolocation Tracking And Children’s Privacy Violations for $4 Million

By Alan L. Friel and Suchismita Pahi on Posted in Children’s Privacy
On June 22, 2016, mobile advertising company InMobi Private Ltd. settled Federal Trade Commission (“FTC” or “Commission”) claims of violations of Section 5 of the FTC Act, and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and Rule (COPPA), for $4 million.  The violations of COPPA supported the monetary penalty since, unlike Section 5, COPPA provides for … Continue Reading

FTC Prosecutes Serving of Behavior Ads on Kids’ Apps

By Alan L. Friel on Posted in Children’s Privacy
The Federal Trade Commission reminded publishers and advertisers recently that the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) prohibits data collection, absent verified parental consent, for behavioral (interest-based) advertising on websites or mobile apps directed at children under 13. App publisher TapBlaze paid $60,000 and entered into a 20-year consent (available here) to settle charges. The revised … Continue Reading

2014 Mobile Privacy and Security Trends and What to Look for in 2015

Photo of Fernando A. Bohorquez, Jr.By Fernando A. Bohorquez, Jr. and Jenna N. Felz on Posted in Mobile Privacy
Most analysts and commentators agree that 2014 was the year mobile reached a tipping point.  With over 1 billion mobile smartphones in circulation, 2014 marked the first year that mobile Internet usage surpassed desktop use in the U.S. This trend will continue as users spend more time on mobile apps than on the Web. Mobile … Continue Reading

Will Using “Apple Pay” Keep the Data Breach Away?

Photo of Eric A. PackelBy Eric A. Packel on Posted in Data Breaches, Mobile Privacy
Recently Apple unveiled its latest iPhones and other new products. While the big screens on the new iPhones are making the splashy headlines, perhaps the most interesting reveal, from a data privacy perspective, is not a shiny gadget, but the new mobile payment service dubbed “Apple Pay”. Although mobile payment services aren’t new – Google … Continue Reading

Mobilizing on Mobile Apps: The FTC’s Comment to the CFPB Signals its Priorities

By William W. Hellmuth on Posted in Mobile Privacy
In recent months, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) has been steadily ramping up its efforts to monitor, regulate, and provide best practice guidance in the rapidly expanding field of mobile applications. On September 10, 2014, the FTC issued a staff comment in response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (“CFPB”) Request for Information on the … Continue Reading

Facebook Implements California Consumer Privacy Protections In Rolling Out Its New App Center

Photo of BakerHostetlerBy BakerHostetler on Posted in Social Media
In this context, Facebook will require all software applications ("Apps") offered through the App Center to provide a clear link to its privacy policy. Third party App distributors will be able to utilize the Facebook App Center and its development tools to provide, and make discoverable, their mobile offerings. Given Facebook's increasingly large user base and existing third party App infrastructure, the App Center is likely to have an impact of significance on the global mobile application marketplace.… Continue Reading
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