The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) continues to enforce and update its Health Breach Notification Rule (HBNR) amidst a fast-changing regulatory environment. A new rule, which took effect this week, expands the scope of the HBNR, as the FTC ramps up enforcement activity related to disclosures of identifiable health data, and other agencies implement changes to the
FTC Authorizes use of Compulsory Process in AI Investigations
On November 21, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) approved in a 3-0 vote a resolution authorizing the use of compulsory process in nonpublic investigations involving products and services that involve or claim to involve Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Compulsory process is akin to a subpoena, and it allows the FTC to request the production of information…
FCC and FTC Announce new AI Calling and Voice Initiatives
On November 16th, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) and Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced new independent initiatives regarding the use and implications of AI technologies on consumers in the context of telephone and voice communications. Learn more about these initiatives on our sister blog, the Consumer Finance Monitor.
FTC Announces New Safeguards Rule Breach Notification Requirements
On October 27, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) unanimously voted to amend the Safeguards Rule to require non-banking financial institutions, such as mortgage brokers, motor vehicle dealers, and payday lenders, to report data breaches and security events to the Agency. This amendment will become effective 180 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
Under…
FTC Challenge to Data Broker Precise Geolocation Sale Dismissed with Leave to Amend
In a ruling published May, 4, the Federal District Court of Idaho granted defendant data broker Kochava’s motion to dismiss a complaint filed by the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”). In its complaint, the FTC alleged that Kochava’s sale of precise consumer geolocation data constituted an unfair act or practice in violation of Section 5 of…
FTC Requires Data Minimization in Drizly Enforcement Action
In a recent enforcement action against online alcohol delivery service Drizly and its CEO, James Rellas, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) made clear its focus on data minimization and limitations on the secondary uses of data. Although the action arose out of a common security failure—the sort that has been the subject of numerous prior…
Federal COVID-19 Privacy Legislation to be Introduced
On April 30th, U.S. Senators from across multiple committees joined together to announce legislation that would protect consumer privacy rights in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Sen. John Thune (R-SD), Chair of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation,…