On May 7, 2020, the New York Attorney General announced she will not sue Zoom after it agreed to adopt enhanced data security and privacy measures to protect the data of its 300 million plus users. As COVID-19 social distancing policies radically change the way individuals and industries communicate, Zoom saw a reported 3,000 percent
U.S. Senators Introduce Contact Tracing App Privacy Legislation
A group of Republican U.S. senators plan to introduce legislation to protect user privacy in relation to contact-tracing apps used to combat the spread of COVID-19.
“While the severity of the COVID-19 health crisis cannot be overstated, individual privacy, even during times of crisis, remains critically important,” said John Thune, R-S.D.
Thune, together with U.S.
Putting the AI in Algorithms: FTC Issues Guidance
The Federal Trade Commission has issued guidance on using artificial intelligence (AI) in algorithms.
Key Takeaways
The use of AI tools should be transparent, explainable, fair and empirically sound, while fostering accountability.
- Don’t deceive consumers about how you use automated tools.
- Be transparent when collecting sensitive data.
- Be careful about how you get that data
FTC Provides Guidance on COPPA Compliance in Relation to Remote Learning
The Federal Trade Commission weighs in on Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) compliance during the COVID-19 pandemic:
For Ed Tech:
- COPPA is not a barrier to schools providing robust remote learning.
- Schools can consent on behalf of parents to the collection of student personal information only if such information is used for a school-authorized
FCC: Auto-Dialed Calls, Texts on Coronavirus Health and Safety Exempt From Consent Requirements
The Federal Communications Commission clarifies that auto-dialed calls and SMS messages regarding COVID-19 are exempted from Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) consent requirements.
- Efforts to slow the spread of the disease depend on effective communications about measures to mitigate transmission of the illness, as well as other health and safety information.
- Automated calls to wireless
FTC Issues Tips for Consumers to Avoid COVID-19 Financial Relief Payment Scams
Responding to recent reports that the U.S. Government may send payments by check or direct deposit to Americans in the near future to offset some of the economic damage done by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Federal Trade Commission has offered a list of three important tips consumers should keep in mind to avoid getting scammed.
Following Circuit Court Ruling, FTC Revamps Data Security Enforcement Orders
Following an 11th Circuit Court decision that struck down a 2018 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) order as “unenforceably vague,” the FTC has “instructed staff to closely review [their] orders to determine whether they could be strengthened and improved – particularly in the areas of privacy and data security.” Recent enforcement orders show the FTC
Florida Lawmakers Introduce Nevada-like Data Privacy Legislation
A Florida privacy bill, resembling one passed last year in Nevada, would introduce significant new privacy notice requirements for Florida operators similar to the California Consumer Privacy Act, and require giving consumers the ability to opt out of a sale of information.
The privacy “notice” would need to include several items. Most importantly, the operator
CA Senate Proposes Expanded CCPA Carve-Outs Related to HIPAA, Biomedical Research
On the sixth day of CCPA the California Senate Health Committee gave to me … a HIPAA carve-out.
AB 713, reported favorably by the California Senate Health Committee, would expand the exemption related to HIPAA and medical research.
Specific carve-outs:
- De-identified PHI or medical information, provided that the business does not attempt nor actually re-identify
With Fate of Federal Privacy Law Uncertain, More States Expected to Follow California’s Lead
“Though it’s hard to predict what will happen with regard to a federal privacy bill in 2020, the reality is that the CCPA is here and other states will surely follow,” writes Jedidiah Bracy of the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
“In addition to driving policy talks in the nation’s capital, the CCPA may also