Several House lawmakers have sent letters to nine major data broker firms, seeking transparency on data practices. By Alice Cheng Last week, eight House members, including Congressional Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus chairmen Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe Barton (R-Tex.), sent letters to nine major data broker firms, asking for information on how they collect, assemble, maintain,…
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Spokeo Settles Charges of Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Violations
The Federal Trade Commission fined an online data broker who allegedly sold consumer reports containing internet and social media data in the context of employment screenings without adhering to the Fair Credit Reporting Act’s consumer protections. By Alice Cheng Data broker Spokeo recently agreed to pay $800,000 to settle Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges in what…
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Who Owns Your Data and What Can They Do With It? Understanding Data Privacy and Information Security in the Cloud
“Cloud” Technology Offers Flexibility, Reduced Costs, Ease of Access to Information, But Presents Security, Privacy and Regulatory Concerns With the recent introduction of Google Drive, cloud computing services are garnering increased attention from entities looking to more efficiently store data. Specifically, using the “cloud” is attractive due to its reduced cost, ease of use, mobility and…
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FTC Releases Final Consumer Privacy Report
Today, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final report setting forth best practices for businesses to protect the privacy of American consumers and give them greater control over the collection and use of their personal data, entitled “Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change: Recommendations for Businesses and Policymakers.” The FTC also…
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