On Friday, August 22 the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and U.S. Secret Service released an advisory warning that a family of malware known as “Backoff” may have infiltrated the Point of Sale (“PoS”) systems of over 1,000 U.S. businesses. The malware was injected into some systems as far as back as October 2013, and DHS warns […]
Advisories
FTC Issues Study on Mobile Shopping Apps Reviewing Pre-download Disclosures
On August 1, 2014, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued a study called “What’s the Deal? An FTC Study on Mobile Shopping Apps,” with recommendations concerning pre-download disclosures. FTC staff surveyed and reviewed 121 mobile shopping apps that fell into three categories: price comparison apps, deal apps, and in-store purchase apps. FTC staff focused their […]
Agenda Released for FTC’s September Big Data Workshop
The Federal Trade Commission recently released an initial program for the agency’s latest data privacy workshop, “Big Data: A Tool for Inclusion or Exclusion?” The workshop will consist of four panel discussions and is scheduled to take place at 8 a.m. on September 15, 2014 at the Constitution Center, located at 400 7th St SW, […]
FTC Updates Guidelines for Obtaining Parental Consent Applicable to Website Operators and Developers of Children’s Apps
On July 16, 2014, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued revised guidance regarding compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”). COPPA and the rules promulgated thereunder regulate the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information from children under age 13 by operators of commercial websites and online services, including mobile apps. The recent changes to the […]
Special Assistant Attorney General Speaks On Privacy Issues At Alston & Bird’s Los Angeles Office
As part of the California Attorney General’s ongoing effort to educate the business community regarding privacy issues, Jeffrey Rabkin, Special Assistant Attorney General for Law and Technology, briefed business professionals, privacy officers, in-house and outside counsel on May 13, 2014, in Alston & Bird’s Los Angeles Office. Mr. Rabkin, who serves as Special Assistant […]