The European Commission has recently approved the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (DPF) geared towards the transfer of data from the EU to the United States. In this respect, the privacy, cyber, and data strategy team of international law firm Alston & Bird has been discussing what companies need to consider when choosing between using the…
In a notable display of non-attachment to material wealth, a high-ranking hedge fund manager has seemingly embodied the Zen philosophy, leading to a staggering $43 million discount for a lucky affluent individual. While wide commentary and perceptions differ, the subtle interactions of material wealth, personal philosophy and economic decisions merge in this fascinating case that…
Medical technology company Medtronic has been handed a lawsuit following allegations that it impermissibly shared users’ private health information with Google and other unspecified third parties. The class action lawsuit was filed on August 30, 2023 in the Central District of California. The plaintiffs in the case are users of Medtronic’s InPen system, a smart…
In an effort to address the rising menace of cyber threats, the Joint Commission issued a Sentinel Event Alert on August 15, 2023. The alert, dubbed “Preserving patient safety after a cyberattack,” aims to provide advice and steps on how healthcare institutions can maintain safe patient care during a cyber-attack. The Sentinel Event Alert calls…
In an official notice filed with the Attorney General of Maine on September 7, 2023, Lifeline Systems Company (“Lifeline”) disclosed a significant data breach involving the unauthorized access to sensitive customer information. The company has confirmed that personal data of over 74,000 customers have been exposed as a result of the breach. The incident marks…
In 2021, an increasing number of states have enacted legislation to examine the implications of artificial intelligence (AI). This is an anticipatory move to potentially regulate this emerging technology and address its expected impact on employment, civil liberties, and property rights. As the implementation and influence of AI continue to expand, attorneys, corporate entities, and…
On September 8, 2023, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) is expected to discuss the newly proposed sets of regulations under the California Privacy Protection Act (CCPA). These revisions have attracted significant attention from legal professionals, especially those active in the fields of data privacy and security. The new regulations are the focal point of…
A recent third-party data breach has led to unauthorized access to an unknown number of Janssen CarePath customers’ private data, shedding light once more on the increasing threat that cyberattacks pose for corporations worldwide, especially those handling sensitive consumer information. According to a press release issued by IBM on September 6, 2023, the data breach…
In recent news, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, in conjunction with international data protection authorities, has made a collective call to websites and social media platforms, urging them to bolster efforts to protect personal information from unlawful data scratching. This was revealed in a joint statement issued by these authorities. As the cyberspace landscape continues…
Subject to the leadership of Chair Lina Kahn, the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) privacy and consumer protection enforcement program has entered a transformative period. Observers within the legal profession are flagging up three fresh areas of scrutiny this year: pixel tracking, dark patterns in consumer interfaces, and artificial intelligence (AI). As reported by JDSupra, pixel…
On August 28, 2023, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) made strides towards clarity and compliance in data privacy and cybersecurity. This came in the form of an initial draft release for proposed rules regarding privacy risk assessments and cybersecurity audits. Legal professionals, particularly those operating in and around California, have been on the edge…
The U.S Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is embracing a more dedicated approach towards technology in tax administration. According to a recent report, the federal agency is looking to boost its utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in auditing partnerships, larger corporations, and alleged tax shelter promoters. In a recent official release, the agency communicated its intent…
In the realm of corporate law and litigation, the influence and use of audio transcription services has become increasingly pertinent. The process appears deceptively simple: select a provider, submit your audio, and receive the transcription. However, according to an article from our colleagues at JD Supra, the matter is far from straightforward, and requires more…
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) recently announced the publication of two new sets of draft regulations focusing on current data protection conundrums. Even though the formal rulemaking process is yet to begin, the Draft Cybersecurity Audit Regulations and the Draft Risk Assessment Regulations are expected to lay the groundwork for future procedures. The draft…
In 2023, the New England and First Circuit Class Action Tracker took flight, serving as an analytical tool for observing class action litigation trends in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Since its inception, an alarming trend of cybersecurity and data privacy class action filings has been noticed in the New England area. The…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly gaining popularity across various industries. With such a swift increase in its use, it becomes imperative for professionals in the creative and advertising sectors to be aware of potential legal, regulatory, and contractual complexities that are intrinsic to commercial applications of AI. A forthcoming webinar is set to discuss these…
Legal professionals take heed: In the dynamic legal landscape concerning U.S. data breach notification laws, states continue to refine their statutes. The latest release of the Mintz Matrix provides an updated overview of these changes. Since the beginning of the year, several states have revised their data breach notification laws, with some clarifying existing regulations,…
In what is a significant milestone in privacy class settlements, Facebook’s $725M settlement has garnered an unprecedented response with 17 million claims. This was stated by plaintiffs’ attorney Derek Loeser at a final approval hearing on Thursday. These claims resulted from the infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal. This record number of claims represents a historic instance…
In recent times, the European Union adopted its adequacy decision for the EU-US Data Privacy Framework (DPF), consequently leading to various companies exploring the viability of their participation. Primarily, the active involvement of a US entity is viewed as one method among several to facilitate the transfer of personal data from the EU to the…
In notable news, Alabama’s open defiance of the Supreme Court’s election law ruling marks a potential return trip to DC. Speculations regarding Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s changing stance on the issue are rising, as Republicans seem to be hopeful they can sway his vote. A recent leak intimates that Kavanaugh’s initial vote might have been a…
A compelling analysis gave prominence to the increasingly pertinent issue of data privacy in relation to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning. As part of a three-part series by Ankura, the article delves into some of the key privacy topics that are emerging in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI technology. The…
In stark contrast to U.S. norms, international privacy watchdogs have issued calls to social media behemoths to shield their users’ publicly available information from web-scraping, a widely-employed commercial practice in the United States. In other jurisdictions, this can be tantamount to a reportable data breach. These concerns are echoed in Britain, particularly. “Social media companies…
At the heart of the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and the European Union, lies Latvia – a small Eastern European nation which has become the epicentre of a burgeoning legal issue. Controversial amendments to Latvia’s Immigration Law, implemented on September 24, 2022, have generated both local and global scrutiny. At the crux of this…
There’s a growing concern within the legal industry surrounding the lack of focus on privacy-related courses in some of the United States’ top law schools. As the world becomes increasingly digital, understanding data privacy laws becomes an increasingly crucial part of any legal practice. However, several critics label it as ‘ridiculous’ how multiple U.S. law…
In a digital age marked by an ever-increasing number of sophisticated cyber threats, securing internet privacy has become a preeminent concern for individuals and corporations alike. A recent discussion with a corporate client underscores this concern especially for those who are not tech-savvy, such as the elderly who frequent online platforms. The Internet Safety Guide…