On October 11, 2012, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report titled “Mobile Device Location Data: Additional Federal Actions Could Help Protect Consumer Privacy.” Requested by Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), the Report recognizes the efforts of Federal agencies to protect consumer privacy when using mobile devices but calls for additional action
Tag Archives: federal trade commission
FTC Provides Guidance to (All) Mobile App Developers
Following up on a public workshop held earlier this year, today the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a set of truth-in-advertising and privacy guidelines for mobile device application (app) developers. Titled “Marketing Your Mobile App: Get it Right From the Start,” the guidelines provide an overview of key issues for all app developers to consider.
FTC Reaches Settlements Over P2P Data Breaches
The Federal Trade Commission yesterday announced settlements with two companies over security breaches caused by peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing software. The settlements require the companies to establish and maintain comprehensive information security programs and to undergo data security audits by independent auditors every other year for 20 years.
FTC Releases Final Privacy Report
Today the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its long-awaited privacy report, “Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change: Recommendations for Businesses and Policymakers,” which is intended to articulate “best practices” for companies that collect and use consumer data, and to assist Congress as it considers new privacy legislation.
BREAKING NEWS: FCC Adopts New Rules to Limit “Robocalls”
A Report and Order from the Federal Communications Commission imposes new restrictions on autodialed and prerecorded telemarketing calls. Clients engaging in telemarketing should take note, as these restrictions extend beyond similar restrictions imposed by the Federal Trade Commission in 2009.
Draft House Bill Would Impose New Requirements on Mobile Data Collection and Create Joint FTC-FCC Oversight
A draft bill circulating on the Hill would impose new regulations on companies involved in the mobile “app” ecosystem, including wireless service providers, equipment manufacturers, device retailers, operating system providers, website operators, and other online service providers.
FTC Announces Settlement with Facebook
The Federal Trade Commission this afternoon announced a proposed consent decree with the prominent social network Facebook, settling allegations that Facebook violated Section 5 of the FTC Act by failing to live up to representations made to consumers regarding its privacy practices. Among other remedial measures, the FTC required Facebook to obtain independent privacy compliance audits for the next 20 years. Along with the FTC’s recent consent decrees with Google and Twitter, the FTC now effectively has regulatory oversight over the privacy and data security practices of the three most prominent social networking companies in the United States.
FTC Focusing on Child Identity Theft, Holding Forum on July 12
The FTC is holding a July forum entitled “Stolen Futures”, focusing on children’s identity theft, as described in more detail in this blog entry.
FTC: Opt-Out Should Mean Opt-Out
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) yesterday announced a settlement with Chitika, Inc. over its failure to honor consumers’ choice in contravention of representations made in its online privacy policy. The announcement is notable in that it comes in the wake of the FTC’s December 2010 Preliminary Staff Report and is the FTC’s first consent settlement relating to… Continue Reading
FTC Delays Enforcement of Red Flags Rule for Fourth Time
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced today that it is delaying enforcement of its FACTA Red Flags Rule until June 1, 2010 “[a]t the request of Congress.”
Hogan & Hartson Prepares Guidance on Business Compliance with FTC Identity Theft Red Flags Rule
Businesses may be facing their last chance to comply with the FTC identity theft Red Flags Rule as the compliance deadline was extended over the Summer to November 1, 2009. On July 29, 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced that it will delay enforcement of its identity theft “Red Flags Rule”until November 1, 2009. This is the third… Continue Reading