SEC Adopts Standardized Cybersecurity Disclosures for Public Companies: Legal Implications and Consequences

On July 26, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) significantly shifted the landscape of cybersecurity accountability for public companies. The SEC convened an open meeting where it was decided to adopt final rules requiring the standardization of cybersecurity disclosures by public companies (JD Supra). These new rules mark a strict departure from the previous…

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Navigating the Complex Landscape of State Privacy Laws: Entity-Level vs. Data-Level Exemptions

In a world where businesses generate and handle enormous volumes of data, privacy law compliance has become more critical than ever. This is especially true for companies operating in heavily regulated sectors such as financial services and healthcare. An ever-increasing complexity within the patchwork of state privacy laws has added another layer to this burgeoning…

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British Rowing Adopts Policy Barring Transgender Athletes from Women’s Category

British Rowing recently declared a policy prohibiting transgender athletes from participating in the Women’s Category. This announcement coincides with the launch of three new categories from September 11th: Open, Mixed, and Women’s. The policy outlines that only females assigned at birth have the eligibility to compete in competitions under British Rowing’s jurisdiction or be selected…

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Canada’s Chemical Risk Assessment: Government Requests Data on 850 Substances for Environmental Protection

Canada has taken a significant step towards mitigating environmental risks associated with certain chemical substances. As reported by JDSupra, the Canadian government announced through a notice in the Canada Gazette on June 24, 2023, that it’s requesting information about approximately 850 different chemical substances. This information is being gathered with the primary objectives of prioritisation,…

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SEC Proposes Regulation on AI and Predictive Analytics in Finance: Balancing Innovation and Compliance

On July 26, 2023, the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed a new set of rules affecting registered investment advisers and broker-dealers. As discussed in this JD Supra article, the proposed rules aim to handle certain conflicts of interest concerning the use of predictive analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and other relevant technologies in dealings…

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Navigating HHS-OIG Information Blocking Enforcement: Avoiding Million-Dollar Penalties

The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) recently issued a final ruling implementing its mandate under the 21st Century Cures Act to investigate allegations of information blocking among health IT developers and health information networks/exchanges (HIN/HIEs). Violations of this prohibition can lead to penalties as steep as $1 million…

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Navigating Privacy Laws: Implications for Auto Dealers Amid State-level Divergences

Automotive dealers and their service partners need to take cognizance of key divergences between the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and recent state privacy laws intended to defend consumer information. These variations are evident in privacy enactments in Virginia, Connecticut, Colorado, and Utah – all of which broadly exempt financial institutions safeguarded by the federal…

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OSHA Reinstates and Expands Electronic Injury Reporting Rule for Enhanced Workplace Safety

In a recent advancement, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has decided to restore and broaden an Obama-era requirement, compelling employers spanning dozens of identified industries to electronically submit their injury and illness forms. The reinstated rule, with additional expansions, targets workplaces with a minimum of 100 employees. JD Supra reported this update which…

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AI Revolutionizing Compliance Functions: Streamlining Processes and Unraveling Unstructured Data

In the era of information, data is an indispensable element of not only any organization but more crucially, their compliance function. The importance of this data’s integrity, accessibility, and security can hardly be overstated for a business to operate effectively and to ensure proper compliance. However, as digital landscapes continue to evolve and grow in…

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Uhlmann’s Appointment Signals Renewed Focus on Environmental Justice Enforcement

On July 20, 2023, the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment of David Uhlmann as the new Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) Enforcement and Compliance Division. The confirmation marks an interesting development in environmental justice enforcement efforts in the United States. Uhlmann brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Notably, his…

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LexisNexis and Microsoft Partner to Revolutionize Legal Profession with AI-Driven Generative Technologies

In a move that will be of great interest to legal professionals around the world, LexisNexis has shed further light on its collaboration with Microsoft to develop generative AI products. In this unique partnership, the intention is to harness the potential of artificial intelligence to drastically change the way lawyers and law firms access and…

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Biden Administration’s Push for Enhanced Mental Health Coverage Compliance: Implications for Corporations and Law Firms

The Biden administration recently made known its intention to enhance accessibility to mental health coverage through a proposed rule primarily involving the expansion of plan oversight and enforcement activity. Spearheading this initiative are the US Departments of the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services. This move aims to address the issues concerning mental health…

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Credit Card Competition Act of 2023: Analyzing Potential Impacts on the Payments Industry

The proposed Credit Card Competition Act of 2023 has been met with mixed reception from industry players since its introduction by Senator Durbin from Illinois. This legislation seeks to usher a reformat in payment processing, which will undoubtedly impact issuers, merchants, and consumers alike. Josh McBeain, in a recent episode of Payments Pros, a Payments…

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Australia’s Privacy Act Extraterritorial Application: Clearview AI Ruling Impact on Global Data Collection Practices

In a significant ruling that caught the attention of the global legal community, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal handed down its decision earlier this year in a case involving Clearview AI and the Australian privacy regulator, the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). This decision, for the first time, marked the extraterritorial application of the…

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Revised Form I-9 Requirements and Remote Worker Compliance Rules for Employers by November 2023

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has recently conveyed that employers are required to use a revised Form I-9 by November 1, 2023. A fresh rule authorising employers to utilise an alternative documentation verification system for employees operating remotely is also introduced by USCIS. The alterations indicate significant changes for businesses across the nation,…

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