The EU-U.S. Privacy Shield (“Privacy Shield”) is already under challenge before the European courts, after having been approved only some months ago by the European Commission (“EU Commission”). The European courts’ website records that an action for annulment has been brought by Digital Rights Ireland, the privacy and digital rights advocacy organization, before the General […]
Board Governance & Cyber Risk Management
The French Digital Republic Act: the New Powers of the French Data Protection Authority and Enhanced Rights of Individuals
On October 7, the French Digital Republic Act (the “Act”) was adopted following a widely-publicized consultation process. The Act amends the French Data Protection Act, and also modifies French law in various domains, including consumer protection, electronic payment services, medical research, and intellectual property. The Act constitutes a first step in the implementation of the […]
ECJ Declares IP Addresses are Personal Data
Today, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued its long-awaited decision in Breyer v. Germany. Breyer addresses the question of whether IP addresses are “personal data” for purposes of EU data protection law. As is widely known, personal data is any information that would permit a particular individual to be identified, whether directly or in […]
D.C. Circuit Holds CFPB is Unconstitutionally Constructed; Removes For-Cause Removal Protection from CFPB Director
On Tuesday, October 11, 2016, the D.C. Circuit Court issued its opinion in PHH Corp. v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, holding that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was unconstitutionally structured. In the majority opinion, Judge Kavanaugh described the position of CFPB Director as, in terms of unilateral authority, “the single most powerful official in […]
New York State Financial Services Regulator Issues Proposed Cybersecurity Regulations
On September 13, 2016, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the issuance of proposed “first-in-the-nation” cybersecurity regulations for entities regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS), including jurisdictional banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. The proposed regulation will be subject to a 45-day comment period prior to being issued as a final rule. […]