As the de facto federal agency policing privacy and data breaches nationally, when the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) speaks on such matters, it’s generally wise to listen. Earlier this week the FTC issued a new, 16-page, business-oriented Guide (Data Breach Response: A Guide for Business,) along with accompanying short video on what to do (and […]
Category: FTC
FTC Announces Workshop on Cross Device Tracking
Building on the FTC’s continued push into mobile issues and privacy, which it reinforced at the 2015 IAPP Global Summit in D.C. two weeks ago, the Federal Trade Commission today announced an upcoming workshop to explore the issues raised by cross device tracking – using browsers or apps to visit sites across different devices. As the FTC […]
FTC Takes Mobile App Makers to Task – Warns About Empty Promises in Privacy Policies
A new staff report by the FTC, What’s the Deal” – A FTC Study on Mobile Shopping Apps, highlights the FTC”s continued concerns about user data and the mobile ecosphere – particularly how payment disputes are handled by developers of mobile apps in the wake of recent Apple and Amazon app issues.. Following in the wake of the […]
FTC Data Broker Report Takeaways – Part 2
In this Part Two covering the Federal Trade Commission’s Report on Data Brokers, (Part One is here) we focus on the Report’s detail of benefits and risks to consumers of data brokers’ services, the FTC’s legislative recommendations and best practices data brokers should consider to address growing concerns surrounding data mining. Lastly, we’ll review considerations […]
Data Broker Study from FTC Reveals a Big Data World
Data brokers have been under increased scrutiny lately – from Congress, the press and joined again this week by the Federal Trade Commission, which released a 109-page study of nine data brokers entitled Data Brokers: A Call For Transparency and Accountability (the “Report”). which examined nine data brokers to determine the types and scope of personal information data collected. What […]
FTC Slaps Snapchat Over Privacy Policy & Practices
Recently, the Federal Trade Commission snapped at Snapchat over its privacy policy and representations made regarding the company’s mobile application. The FTC’s action has raised some eyebrows. But it has also raised awareness that promises made in a privacy policy matter. What did Snapchat do wrong and what are the key takeaways you should adopt […]
Admin judge to FTC: “Put up or shut up”
FTC ordered to submit to testifying about data security standards The ongoing controversial Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) versus LabMD Inc. enforcement action (Docket No. 9357) took a new twist recently as Chief Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell effectively ordered the FTC to reveal details about what it considers to be the applicable data security […]
Long awaited decision in FTC v. Wyndham Issued. FTC wins.
BREAKING: The long awaited decision in the ongoing FTC v. Wyndham Worldwide Corp federal district court case in New Jersey was issued last today by District Judge Salas. In brief Wyndham lost all three of its arguments presented and J. Salas denied its Motion to Dismiss. We’re reviewing the entire 42-page decision, available here, for […]
How secure is your mobile app? Or the ones your employees use?
A new update from the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) highlights that mobile apps remain a key security weakness. In connection with its recent investigation of mobile apps from Fandango and Credit Karma, the FTC has warned consumers that app developers (even those with the best of intentions) continue to drop the ball in ensuring security […]
Mobile Data Tracking – Takeaways from 1st FTC Spring Privacy Seminar
The FTC held its first seminar in the agency’s Spring Privacy Series yesterday on the hot topic of Mobile Device Tracking. In over two-hours the well-attended panel discussion covered privacy, security and regulatory issues raised by mobile tracking joined by Twitter users posting comments via the #FTCMobile hashtag. With the billion dollar mobile app market […]
FTC and FBI Issue Warning About “CryptoLocker” Malware
Safeguarding data security and privacy is a constant battle. We always recommend the use of encryption for mobile devices, laptops and all crucial company data or consumer records containing personal, sensitive or medical information. In a devilish twist, however, cyber criminals have turned encryption against unsuspecting victims, to beg the question: “Are your computer files […]
FTC Approves 6th COPPA Safe Harbor Program – kidSAFE+
Today, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) approved the kidSAFE Seal Program as a “safe harbor program” under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the agency’s COPPA Rule. This make kidSAFE+ the 6th approved safe harbor program – joining Aristotle, inc., the children’s Advertising Review Unit of the Council of BBB’s, the Entertainment Software […]
FTC’s 50th Data Security Settlement Highlights Best Practices
The FTC’s recently announced “50th data security settlement,” with GMR Transcription Services, has been highlighted by the Commission as a “golden opportunity to check your [data security] practices.” We agree. The facts behind the settlement read like a veritable case study of what not to do and how companies get into hot water with regulators […]
IAPP Introduces All-New Mobile App Privacy Tool
In the past year, the Federal Trade Commission increased enforcement of mobile privacy policies and mobile apps, particularly those used by children as regulated by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”). Regulators across the pond in the EU has likewise viewed mobile apps and mobile devices as posing significant privacy and data security concerns. Responding […]
FTC “Internet of Things” Workshop Explores Privacy Risks and Benefits
The Federal Trade Commission’s long awaited “Internet of Things” public workshop was held Nov. 19, 2013, and webcast live (with presentations, transcripts and videos to be archived for ready access at http://www.ftc.gov/video) to explore a wide range of potential privacy and security issues associated with Internet-connected devices everywhere – at home, work and in the car. […]
