Today, encountering a cookie banner is a common experience for most individuals who peruse the internet. These banners inform website users of the presence of cookies or other tracking technologies through language such as, “This website uses cookies. By clicking ‘accept,’ you consent to the use of all cookies.” Many states require companies to provide
Data Privacy
Phishing Subpoenas – A New Privacy Threat?
Privacy issues are inherent in almost all facets of a business — from operations, employment, and technology to customer service, contracts, legal and compliance — all with varying degrees of risk. Most companies mitigate risk by standardizing processes and procedures to handle certain common or low-risk situations. This is helpful in streamlining repetitive inquiries that…
Can Privacy Be Bought? How Scrutiny of Meta’s Subscription Model Has Wider Implications –PART II
In Part I, we discussed the European Commission’s (“Commission”) disapproval of Meta’s “pay or consent” subscription model. In Part II, we delve into the European Commission’s findings, prior findings by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB), and how those findings may affect future models where privacy is considered “for sale.”
The European Commission’s Findings
…Can Privacy Be Bought? How Scrutiny of Meta’s Subscription Model Has Wider Implications – PART I
In November of 2023, Meta launched a service in the European Union that allowed users to utilize the Facebook and Instagram platforms “ad free” for a monthly fee. The subscription service was meant to address regulatory concerns about Meta’s vast data collection and surveillance-based advertising system that tracks consumers across websites. The concept introduced a…
Florida Bill Proposes Safe Harbor Against Breach Suits to Businesses Maintaining Recognized Cybersecurity Programs
A recently introduced bill in the Florida Legislature would provide businesses operating in Florida, including health care providers, with a legal defense to data breach lawsuits if they maintain robust cybersecurity measures that meet government- and industry-recognized standards. Specifically, Florida House Bill No. 473 (H.B. 473), known as the Cybersecurity Incident Liability Act, was…
Cybersecurity Awareness Month: A Basic Primer to Keep Your Data & Information Safe
As Cybersecurity Awareness Month comes to an end and the spooky season of Halloween is upon us, no one wants to live through a cybersecurity horror story. There are some simple precautions every business and household can participate in to help keep their data and information safe. We have outlined a few below with a…
The California “Delete Act” Becomes Law
On October 10, 2023, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 362 into law. The “Delete Act” is a key piece of privacy legislation designed to further protect consumer online privacy rights and place further obligations on data brokers.
The Delete Act heavily amends California’s existing data broker law and seeks to establish a one-stop shop…
Does the End Justify the Means? Privacy Advocates React to the Cooper Davis Act
This summer, a proposed amendment to the Controlled Substances Act known as the Cooper Davis Act (the “act”) is making its way through congressional approvals and causing growing dissension between and among parents, consumer safety advocates, and anti-drug coalitions on one hand, and the DEA, privacy experts, and constitutional scholars on the other.
As currently…
Technological and Legal Defenses Against Privacy Attacks on Machine Learning Models
Machine learning (ML) models are a cornerstone of modern technology, allowing models to learn from and make predictions based on vast amounts of data. These models have become integral to various industries in an era of rapid technological innovation, driving unprecedented advancements in automation, decision-making, and predictive analysis. The reliance on large amounts of data…
California Takes the Wheel: A Closer Look at Privacy in Connected Vehicles
California, home to the highest number of registered vehicles in the U.S., is at the forefront of a critical issue – the privacy practices of automobile manufacturers and vehicle technology firms.
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA), the state’s privacy enforcement authority, has messaged that it is launching an enforcement initiative. This initiative seeks to…
The Future of Construction: AI and Predictive Maintenance Part 1
The construction sector is known for its perennial pursuit of efficiency, quality, and safety. In recent years, one of the tools the sector has started leveraging to achieve these goals is predictive maintenance (PM), specifically the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) within this practice. This approach, combined with continuous advancements in AI, is revolutionizing the…