Privacy Plus+ News
Stay informed with our latest insights on privacy and technology trends, along with key updates from our firm.
FTC Cracks Down on Data Broker Sale of Sensitive Location Data
This week, let’s highlight the FTC’s first settlement with a data broker, which includes a proposed order banning the sale of sensitive geolocation data and containing sweeping requirements—to erase or anonymize previously collected data, verify supplier compliance, contract appropriately, and prevent data misuse by others, among other things.
The SEC's Twitter Account Compromise: Lessons and the Threat of SIM Swap Attacks
This week, let’s cover the cybersecurity incident that has shocked the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bitcoin market, and examine what companies can learn about securing their social media accounts and dealing with the threat of SIM swap attacks.
Use of AI Facial Recognition by Rite Aid Banned by the FTC
This week, let’s consider the recent action by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) imposing a five-year ban on Rite Aid's use of AI facial recognition technology.
Disinformation is Evolving with AI
This week, let’s consider two recent global events – the Israel-Hamas conflict and the proliferation of pro-China narratives on YouTube – as examples for understanding the proliferation of disinformation in the digital age.
Meta Challenges the FTC: Is its Authority over Data Privacy on the Line?
This week, let’s highlight Meta’s lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission and Supreme Court's review of SEC v. Jarkesy — we’re at a pivotal moment in regulatory oversight.
FTC Submits Comments on AI, Copyright, Consumer Protection, and Competition
This week, let’s consider the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recent submission of a comment to the U.S. Copyright Office addressing artificial intelligence (AI).
Streamlining Cybersecurity: DHS's Recommendations for Cyber Incident Reporting.
This week, let’s consider a report issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in September, addressing recommendations aimed at harmonizing cyber incident reporting for critical infrastructure sectors.
Navigating the New Reality of AI in Political Advertising
This week, let’s focus on Meta’s latest announcement about the use of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) in online political advertising, paralleling the recent executive order on AI.
Could the SEC's Fraud Charges Against SolarWinds and its CISO Reshape Cybersecurity Oversight?
This week, we're taking a close look at and considering the implications of the recent lawsuit filed by the SEC against SolarWinds Corporation and its Chief Information Security Officer, which claims that they committed fraud and neglected to maintain adequate internal controls in their cybersecurity practices.
The Rise of UOOMs
This week, let’s focus on Universal Opt-Out Mechanisms (UOOMs), like the Global Privacy Control and highlight several related state privacy laws (California, Colorado, and Connecticut).
FTC Boldly Moves into a New Era of Data Minimization and Retention
This week, let’s look at how the Federal Trade Commission has placed its focus on data minimization and retention, and consider whether this could be an inflection point in data privacy regulation.
Elon Musk, Hamas, and Disinformation
This week, let’s revisit the subject of disinformation in the wake of the attacks by Hamas on Israel, and relatedly consider Elon Musk's notable withdrawal of X (Twitter) from the EU's Code of Practice.
Trans-Atlantic Perspectives: How the U.S. and UK Are Tackling Online Content Regulation
This week, let’s look at the UK’s new Online Safety Bill and contrast it from the arguments over the First Amendment in the Netchoice cases now before the Supreme Court.
Amazon’s Antitrust Suit Paradox
This week, let’s examine the paradox as the FTC and 17 states slam Amazon with a colossal antitrust lawsuit, accusing it of crushing competition and dictating market play.
Hosch & Morris Recognized as a "2023 Texas Super Lawyers”
Charles M. Hosch and Kate Morris selected as “2023 Texas Super Lawyers” in Technology Transaction by Super Lawyers.
SEC Seeks Disgorgement from Virtu for Misleading Statements on Customer Data Protection
This week, let’s highlight the SEC’s recent civil action against Virtu Americas and its parent company, Virtu Financial, seeking disgorgement for misleading statements about data protection.
A Closer Look at the INFORM Consumers Act: Tackling Online Fraud in 2023
This week, let’s consider the new “Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers Act,” which requires “online marketplaces” used by high-volume, third-party sellers to collect, verify, and disclose information about their sellers.
Ed Tech Privacy and Security Alert: FTC Obtains a New Consent Order against Edmodo
This week, let’s look at the latest consent order secured by the FTC against Ed Tech provider Edmodo for its collection and use of children’s personal information. Companies in the Ed Tech sector, and vigilant parents and educators should pay close attention.
CFPB Spotlights the FCRA’s Next Regulatory Frontier: Data Brokers
This week, let’s consider the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s recent announcement (making waves!) that it intends to bring certain data brokers under the umbrella of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, aiming to bolster transparency and safeguards for consumer data.
SEC Adopts New Cybersecurity Disclosure Rules for Public Companies
This week, let’s address the SEC’s recently adopted rules to enhance and standardize disclosures regarding cybersecurity risk management, strategy, governance, and incidents by public companies. We’ll look at the mechanics, summarize the changes, highlight effective dates, and offer some thoughts.