On May 9, 2014, the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) announced that American Apparel, Inc. (“American Apparel”) agreed to settle FTC charges that American Apparel falsely claimed it was compliant with the U.S.-European Union Safe Harbor (the “US-EU Safe Harbor Framework”). The FTC’s complaint alleged that American Apparel, a clothing manufacturer and retailer with more than 200 […]
Privacy & Cyber Regulatory Enforcement
U.S. Court Requires Microsoft to Produce Data Stored in Ireland Pursuant to SCA Search Warrant
On April 25, a federal magistrate judge ruled that Microsoft must disclose to U.S. federal investigators the contents of a customer’s email account stored outside of the United States. Microsoft had previously complied with portions of a search warrant seeking certain other information related to the targeted email account, but the company moved to quash the […]
Mobile Apps in the Spotlight during Upcoming GPEN International Privacy Sweep
On May 6, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (the “Commissioner”) announced mobile apps as the Global Privacy Enforcement Network’s (“GPEN’s”) focus area during the upcoming International Privacy Sweep (the “Sweep”). The Sweep will be held from May 12 to 18, 2014, involving 27 privacy enforcement authorities from around the world. The news […]
LabMD Wins Discovery Disputes Against FTC; FTC Compelled to Disclose Data Security Standards
In the latest chapter of the ongoing battle between the FTC and LabMD, Inc. (“LabMD”) about the FTC’s claim that LabMD violated the FTC Act’s Section 5 bar on “unfair” acts or practices because of its allegedly inadequate data security practices, an administrative law judge overseeing the FTC’s administrative action against LabMD recently issued two […]
The White House Releases Report on Big Data
On May 1, the White House released its much anticipated report on the public and private collection and use of Big Data, “Big Data: Seizing Opportunities, Preserving Values.” Authored by a group led by White House counselor John Podesta, the report emphasizes the benefits of Big Data while cautioning against uses of Big Data that […]