Category: Data Privacy

Cyber Breach / Data Privacy

Walking Back Spokeo: Does the 11th Circuit Make Data Breach Standing Even Easier?

In the context of data-breach litigation, Article III standing has historically been a hurdle for the plaintiffs’ bar. This “standing hurdle” is more than just an oxymoronic phrase.  And after the Supreme Court’s decision in Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins, 136 S. Ct. 1540 (2016), many believed that would be data-breach plaintiffs would find it even more difficult to establish Article III standing.  Under Spokeo, the data breach plaintiffs are required to show an “injury-in-fact” that is “concrete and particularized” and “actual or imminent, not… Continue Reading
Data Privacy / Lawsuit / Regulation

Employees’ Claim Under the Illinois Biometric Information Protection Act Escapes Arbitration Provision in Employment Agreement

A recent decision by an Illinois appellate court analyzed whether employees’ privacy violation claims fall within their employment agreements’ arbitration provision. At issue was an employer’s use of biometric information collected from its employees and the consequences of doing so in a manner that was allegedly inconsistent with applicable law, and whether those claims are subject to arbitration, rather than litigation in a court of law.  If you are in need of hiring someone and you do not have the time to go over the… Continue Reading
Cybersecurity / Data Privacy

Washington State Cyberstalking Law Deemed Unconstitutional

On February 22, a federal judge in the State of Washington held that Washington’s cyberstalking law impermissibly inhibits constitutionally protected speech in violation of the First Amendment. The case of Rynearson v. Ferguson was commenced by Richard Rynearson, III against Washington State’s Attorney General and county prosecuting attorney under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 for the purpose of enjoining the state’s enforcement of its cyberstalking statute, Wash. Rev. Code Section 9.61.260. Rynearson is an online author and activist who regularly writes online posts and comments directed… Continue Reading
Data Privacy

Data Privacy Best Practices on Data Privacy Day

Data Privacy Day is the perfect time to make sure that you – and your company’s employees – are practicing data privacy best practices.  We’ve put together a list of best practices to keep your data secure: … Continue Reading
Data Privacy / Regulation

TSA Releases Cybersecurity Roadmap to Guard Against Evolving Cyber Threats

The Transportation Security Agency (TSA) has released its first Cybersecurity Roadmap to prioritize cybersecurity measures within the TSA and the nation’s transportation system, the Transportation Systems Sector (TSS). The TSA’ Cybersecurity Roadmap closely aligns with the more general DHS Cybersecurity Strategy published earlier this year. The roadmap notes that TSA’s mission responsibilities include: (1) securing its own networks, and (2) working with its partners and TSS stakeholders, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to secure its cyberspace. In order to ensure cybersecurity… Continue Reading
Cybersecurity / Data Privacy / Regulation

In Line with GDPR, Canada Amends its Privacy Protection Regulation to Include Stringent and Mandatory Breach Notification Rules

On November 1, 2018, Canada’s Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) was amended to include stringent, mandatory breach notification rules. These rules are similar to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which took effect in May, 2018. Organizations that conduct business in Canada will be subject to PIPEDA as well as the GDPR, if that organization is accessible in the European market. The new PIPEDA regulations reinforce the image of Canada as an international leader in personal data protection… Continue Reading
Data Privacy

Data Privacy Goes [Back] to Washington

One of most interesting parts of the “Framework to Advance Interoperable Rules (FAIR) on Privacy” released on October 22, 2018 by the Information Technology Industry Council, a lobbying group representing Adobe, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, Visa and many others, may be the admission that the fundamental privacy principles intended to inform the development of future legislation were designed some 45 years ago in Washington D.C. by the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare. In July 1973, the United States Department of… Continue Reading
Class Action / Cybersecurity / Data Privacy

Facebook Moves to Dismiss Derivative Action Arising Out of Cambridge Analytica Scandal

On September 28, 2018, Facebook and its board of directors moved to dismiss a derivative action filed by Karen Sbriglio, a Facebook investor, alleging breach of a fiduciary duty.  The lawsuit, filed after revelations of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, claims the failure of Facebook’s leadership and governance in permitting the misappropriation of Facebook users’ data subjected it to public scrutiny, billions of dollars of lost market value, and significant fines and costs.  The basis of Facebook’s motion was that the company’s board, rather than… Continue Reading
Cyber Breach / Cybersecurity / Data Privacy

Long-struggling ‘Google Plus’ Social Network to be Shutdown after Security Breach Affects 500,000

On Monday, October 8, 2018 Google disclosed a security breach it discovered months ago that put at risk the personal data of hundreds of thousands of Google Plus users. In March, Google discovered, and fixed, the bug that allowed outside software developers to gain access to personal information on Google Plus users, including names, email addresses, ages, occupations and relationship status. The company’s decision to not immediately report the software bug has some concerned that Google cannot be relied on to protect privacy. Google… Continue Reading
Class Action / Cyber Breach / Cybersecurity / Data Privacy

SEC’s First Cybersecurity Enforcement Has Many Lessons

The Securities and Exchange Commission recently announced its first ever cyber-related enforcement action in a case that all companies should look at as a refresher on cybersecurity hygiene. In the Matter of Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. was brought against the publicly traded company that manages over $500 billion after a security breach through several of its brokers acting as independent contractors for the company. These brokers typically accessed Voya clients’ PII through a password protected web portal while using their own IT equipment and networks.… Continue Reading