In response to the thousands of mobile applications hitting the market that often rely on consumer data (i.e. contact information, location, photos, etc.), the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) released a suggested list of security guidelines for mobile app developers to follow when designing a program. While a no one-size-fits-all checklist can exist, the FTC views […]
On July 1, 2013, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) will begin enforcement of new regulations pertaining to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (“COPPA”). For two years, regulator’s had sought to update COPPA “with the times” by expanding the law beyond its original intent – to prevent web-based companies from obtaining personal information of children […]
Newly appointed Federal Trade Commission Chair Ms. Edith Ramirez indicated today in a Q&A discussion that the priorities for the FTC under her watch will be enforcement of the COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) law; regulating the mobile application world, due to its tremendous footprint amongst the American consumer; and a new initiative centered […]
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) recently released a staff report entitled, Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade, where the regulatory agency cites a lack of progress in the Mobile App industry for failing to adequately inform parents and guardians about how their child-derived information is collected, shared, and accessed. FTC Chairman, Mr. Jon Leibowitz, stated […]
In a first of its kind legal action, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) today announced that Pasadena-based, Spokeo, Inc., agreed to an $800,000 settlement over charges that the data collecting company improperly compiled and sold people’s personal information for use by potential employers in screening job applicant’s. Without admitting any guilt and as a part […]
Ms. Patricia Ross, head of the mobile technology unit at the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), was quoted last week in The New York Times as urging mobile technology firms, who build applications for smartphones, to build security into their products from the beginning of development, not after a “privacy debacle” has occured. The direct message to the […]
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 […]