In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, one could imagine the surprise among many, learning that HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), doesn’t give broad protection for all health-related data. This acknowledgment spurred conversations among lawmakers, leading to some states passing statutes designed to protect consumer health data. Nevada has recently joined other states,…
The legal landscape of urban transportation in America, specifically ride-sharing platforms, is poised for change. The Chicago City Council is on the verge of deliberating over the regulation of rideshares, a motion primarily led by Alderman Mike Rodriguez. As the additional details unfold, whispers indicate how Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration has actively partaken in the…
In a recently concluded case in the Ninth Circuit, mass marketing text messages were deemed not to constitute “prerecorded voices”, thus raising new considerations under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). The case, brought forward by Lucine Trim against Reward Zone USA, LLC, centers on the allegation of a TCPA violation due to mass marketing…
In a significant shift, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a strategic reorientation of attention to medical-billing practices within the state. Ellison’s office will now be undertaking an initiative that involves proactive measures, including conducting public listening sessions and compiling online submissions to learn more about consumers’ experiences associated with medical billing. These steps signal…
On August 21, 2023, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) made an announcement that sent ripples through the financial technology industry. For the first time, the commission has executed its enforcement authority under the New Marketing Rule against a registered investment adviser. This decisive action marks a new chapter in the SEC’s regulatory reach,…
State privacy legislation in the U.S. is experiencing quite an overhaul. According to JD Supra, there are seven new state laws focusing on privacy that have been enacted, ready to take effect in the coming years. The updates to these laws demonstrate recognition and a proactive response to the rapid pace at which the spectrum…
In the rapidly evolving legal landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), privacy, and data protection, in-house counsels play a critical role. This role often involves a careful balancing act between legal requirements, regulatory guidance, and business needs. As AI becomes increasingly pervasive in everyday business functions, counsels must proactively address potential privacy and data protection issues…
In a recent development, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has brought a lawsuit against an installment lender, Heights Finance Holding Company, formerly known as Southern Management Corporation, and several of its subsidiaries, collectively referred to as “Southern Management”. The lawsuit has been filed on account of alleged violations of the Consumer Financial Protection Act….
Washington AG Bob Ferguson has taken a forward step in championing employment rights with a lawsuit targeting O’Reilly Auto Enterprises, LLC. The company is being accused of violating the state’s Healthy Starts Act, Law Against Discrimination, and Consumer Protection Act. Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that O’Reilly Auto Enterprises refused to reasonably accommodate its pregnant employees,…
The Vermont Supreme Court has recently revived a claim under the state’s Consumer Protection Act, alleging a law firm misrepresented the level of involvement a partner would have in a client’s case. This decision, detailed in an August 18 opinion, authored by Justice Harold E. Eaton, has both affirmed and reversed elements of a lower…
On August 22nd, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, three of the biggest credit bureaus, were hit with an antitrust class action in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. The lawsuit was filed by a group of medical providers who allege that the credit bureaus conspired to exclude unpaid medical bills under $500…
Judicial watchdog group Fix the Court has been conducting a close inspection of federal judicial financial disclosures, ensuring accountability and transparency within the respected lineup of federal judges. In a comprehensive and painstaking effort, the group has discovered that 31 appellate judges have partaken in 76 privately funded luxury trips since 2021. Named as ‘educational…
In a recent notable decision, a federal judge in Maryland rejected a bid by home health care supplier AdaptHealth to dismiss Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) claims. The defendant allegedly made unsolicited calls and texts to a plaintiff’s cellphone. The judge’s decision is in alignment with a growing consensus in courts that mobile phones should…
In 2021, General Motors struck a deal with AT&T with the ambitious goal of using the network’s 5G capabilities to revolutionise the in-car experience. This included significant steps towards the development of fully autonomous vehicles, albeit currently feeling like a distant goal. Notwithstanding, there are numerous advantages to be reaped from enhanced 5G communication technology…
Last month, an attention-grabbing report by the OECD announced that lawyers were at “high risk” of losing their jobs to artificial intelligence (AI). However, a more nuanced view is suggested by a recent international survey conducted by LexisNexis, titled the“International Legal Generative AI Survey”. This survey, which involved feedback from 7,950 legal professionals, law students,…
An international survey conducted by LexisNexis reveals that almost half of legal professionals and consumers see generative AI significantly impacting the practice of law. The study comprised of 7,950 participants including lawyers, law students and consumers from the US, UK, Canada, and France. Their inputs provided a better understanding of their awareness of generative AI…
Thomson Reuters has completed its acquisition of legal tech firm Casetext, a company that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to create innovative legal products, including the AI-based legal assistant CoCounsel. The acquisition is part of Thomson Reuters’ strategy to incorporate generative AI solutions and redefine the professional world with its applications. This acquisition…
In a turn of events that brings some relief to healthcare consumers, approximately 43,000 former patients of Santa Clara Valley Healthcare in California could potentially receive bill corrections and refunds. This comes as the health system, which incorporates a network of primary and specialty clinics as well as three acute care hospitals including Santa Clara…
A pressing issue lurking within the rapidly burgeoning cannabis industry is the menace of counterfeit product claims. Big-name player GS Holistic finds itself at the forefront of this issue, championing a nationwide legal initiative to combat the problem. Regrettably, the full account of this issue remains behind a paywall, and thus, only snippets of information…
In an era characterized by rapid technological advancement and ever-evolving global regulatory landscapes, the legal sector finds itself at the crossroads. As corporations and law firms expand their activities across multiple jurisdictions, they face increasingly complex legal challenges, some of which have global implications. Take, for instance, the impact of the European Union’s General Data…
Historically, Spain has trailed behind its European neighbors such as France, the U.K., and Germany in terms of legal technology offerings, routinely turning to these countries for innovative legal tech solutions, according to a recent report by the legaltechnews.com. However, in the last two years, Spain’s legal tech landscape has seen a notable increase in…
Tile Inc. and its parent company, Life360, alongside Amazon, are currently faced with a consumer class action lawsuit regarding Tile’s location-tracking device. Representing victims of stalking, who claim to have been unknowingly tracked by the gadget without their agreement, this complaint marks a significant turn of events for the location tracking industry. The case caught…
In a recent development on the legal interpretation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), a unanimous panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has determined that text messages do not fall under the category of “prerecorded voice messages”. This decision has clear implications on the prohibitions of the TCPA, specifically…
On July 26, 2023, Hillsborough County reported a significant data breach to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. The breach, which involved the MOVEit file transfer tool, potentially put the personal data of local residents in jeopardy. According to the report filed by Hillsborough County, an unauthorized third party…
The No Surprises Act (NSA), a landmark piece of legislation affecting the healthcare industry, has been in effect since January 2022. Despite its intent to mitigate the financial strain of unexpected medical bills for patients, the act has continuously faced litigation initiated by healthcare providers since its implementation. Both state and federal agencies are scrutinizing…