Business Law

Are Cloud Computing Companies Giving Us a ‘False Sense’ Over Data Privacy & Security?

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As the race to acquire clientele in the cloud computing arena escalates, service providers are taking onerous steps to ensure that their data security and privacy controls are adequately maintained and safeguarded.  The aggressive marketing campaigns of service providers like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, are going to great lengths to build the trust of prospective clients.  […]

Business Law

FTC Settlement and Facebook – Changing Our Perception(s) of ‘Privacy’

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The complaint filed against Facebook, Inc., by the U.S. government alleged that the social network’s 2009 Privacy Policy had “caused harm to users, including, but not limited to, threats to their health and safety, and unauthorized revelation of their affiliations [e.g. political views, sexual orientation, or business relationships].”  The prickly wording by the Federal Trade […]

Business Law

Cyber-Attack on Illinois Water Utility Highlights Risks Associated With “Third-Party” Vendors

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Federal Authorities released a statement that they are looking into a report of a cyber-attack on critical government infrastructures in Central Illinois.  According to the report cited by the Associated Press, the hackers appear to have gained remote access to a water pump which supplies water to communities west of Springfield, Illinois, and shut it […]

Data Security & Privacy

Skimming Techniques Used By Point-of-Sale Devices Are “The Norm” Once Again This Holiday Season

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Point-of-Sale (“POS”) fraud is on the rise last holiday season, and once again federal and state authorities are warning the public to be weary of “skimming” techniques this holiday season.  According to the Associated Press today, 28 people were indicted in New York for running an ID-theft ring, whereby waiters were recruited to use POS […]

Business Law

WSJ Report: Should We Be Concerned About Our Loss of ‘Privacy’ Online?

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Today, The Wall Street Journal ran a series of special reports on emerging technological issues.  One article of particular import addressed whether people should worry about the loss of their privacy online.  The panelists for this article included a lawyer from D.C.; a “senior researcher” from Microsoft; a professor of Journalism; and a technology professional who […]

Business Law

Like Google and Twitter, Facebook and FTC Appear to Reach Settlement Over Privacy Concerns

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It appears that the Commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) will be voting sometime within the next couple of weeks to approve  a settlement between Facebook and the U.S. government over charges that the social media giant was unfair and deceptive in how it used customer personal information.  The Wall Street Journal reported that the […]

Business Law

SEC Issues Guidance on Steps Publicly Traded Companies Should Take to Mitigate Cyber-Exposure

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Recently, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) released a guidance report for publicly traded companies on how they should disclose cyber-related risks in their quarterly and annual filings.  While the guidance report is only a list of suggested best practice disclosures, it is not intended to be compulsory for public companies.  However, the suggestions may cause some corporations […]

Business Law

Sony Suspends User Accounts After ‘Suspicious Activity’ on PlayStation Network

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In what may become the “straw” that broke the brand reputation to Sony, Corporation’s, PlayStation Network, the company announced on Wednesday that it was forced to suspend around 93,000 user accounts after discovering a significant number of unauthorized sign-in attempts.  The latest suspension comes just 6 months after Sony was hit by a cyber-attack on its […]