The latest move in the ever-changing privacy regulation landscape introduces a new and much more serious consequence to the conversation: criminalization of lies told to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) by senior executives of tech companies. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) shared his official version of his “Mind Your Own Privacy” […]
Technology & Intellectual Property Update
Recent Settlement Agreements Indicate the FTC is All-In on Data Security
In the first half of 2019, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) entered into settlement agreements with several entities whose data security programs were inadequate or non-existent. Unlike previous settlements, these recent settlement agreements impose specific security requirements rather than “reasonable security safeguards.” The FTC’s most recent settlement agreement with LightYear […]
New Hampshire Data Law Extends Security Requirements to Insurance Providers
New Hampshire signed into law Senate Bill 194-FN, the Insurance Data Security Law, on August 2, 2019, which requires insurers licensed in New Hampshire to implement an information security program, investigate cybersecurity events, and report such cybersecurity events to the New Hampshire insurance commissioner. This law is effective January 1, […]
Nevada Privacy Law Gives Consumers the Right to Opt-Out
While businesses prepare to comply with the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), Nevada quietly passed an amendment to its online privacy law that requires businesses to offer consumers a right to opt-out of the sale of their personal information. The amended law will be effective October 1, 2019 – three […]
Supreme Court Strikes Down Portion of the Lanham Act Related to Scandalous Marks
The United States Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that a trademark applicant’s mark—one that sounds a lot like the “F-word”—is entitled to a trademark registration. The result of that decision is considered a victory for free speech. In Iancu v. Brunetti, Erik Brunetti sought federal registration of the mark […]