The “Internet of Things” is rapidly expanding, and most households have at least one physical object which automatically collects and exchanges data wirelessly. Manufacturers of smart devices need to ensure that security vulnerabilities and privacy concerns are rapidly addressed in order to escape the scrutiny of the Federal Trade Commission. Law360 interviewed privacy experts, including our…
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Safeway to Pay $9.87 Million Settlement Over Alleged Privacy and Environmental Violations
On December 31, 2014, the second-largest U.S. grocery chain, Safeway, was ordered to pay a $9.87 million penalty as a part of a settlement with California prosecutors related to the improper dumping of hazardous waste, and the improper disposal of confidential pharmacy records containing protected health information in violation of California’s Confidentiality of Medical Information…
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The Feds Blow a Mighty “Wynd” on Privacy & Data Security – But Are They Full of Hot Air?
By: Aaron Krowne A heated battle regarding the general province of federal regulators over businesses’ privacy and data security practices is currently raging. We are referring to the pending case of FTC v. Wyndham Worldwide Corp., which is being much-watched in the data security world. It pits, on one side, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), with…
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New York Attorney General Report Finds Data Breaches Are Serious Business
By: Aaron Krowne On July 14, 2014, the New York Attorney General’s office (“NY AG”) released a seminal report on data breaches, entitled “Information Exposed: Historical Examination of Data Breaches in New York State” (the “Report”). The Report presents a wealth of eye-opening (and sobering) information on data breaches in New York and beyond. The Report…
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