New FTC Provides Insights Into Its Plan for a Balanced Approach to Data Privacy and Security

This year brought unprecedented focus on consumer privacy – the rollout of the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Cambridge Analytica controversy and Congressional hearings, a GDPR-light law coming out of California, more and bigger security incidents, and multiple proposals for an omnibus federal data protection law. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC or … Continue Reading

IoT Device Maker Settles Class Claims for $3.75 Million

By David M. Brown on April 7, 2017 Posted in Big Data, Internet of Things, Mobile Privacy, Privacy Class Actions, Retail Industry

In one of the first Internet of Things (IoT) class action settlements, the maker of a Bluetooth-enabled personal vibrator agreed to settle privacy class claims for $3.75 million. The We-Vibe product allows a user to connect the product to a smartphone. The user can then control the device from the phone via Bluetooth connection. The … Continue Reading

When Can Online Terms of Use and Privacy Policies Be Changed?

By Alan L. Friel on March 13, 2014 Posted in Online Privacy, Social Media

Recently, a California court dismissed a plaintiff’s claims that Instagram’s updated Terms of Services constituted a breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing implied in all contacts because Instagram took expanded rights over user’s photos. Rodriguez v Instagram, LLC (California Superior Court of San Francisco Case CGC-13-532875) (February 28, 2014). We have … Continue Reading