Category Archives: Privacy

WaPo reports congressional deal on consumer online privacy bill

Here (behind paywall). According to the article, the bill would preempt state privacy laws and provide for a private cause of action. The bill enjoys support from Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, and House Energy and Commerce Committee chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican. Whether it will pass in a presidential election year […]

A CFPB proposed rule on data broker practices is on its way

For awhile now, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has been scrutinizing the role and responsibilities of data brokers in collecting and selling consumers’ personal data. In a message at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy this week, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said that a proposed rule to provide greater oversight of third-party […]

CFPB identifies financial and privacy risks to consumers in video gaming marketplaces

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has issued a report examining the growth of financial transactions in online video games and virtual worlds. “These platforms increasingly resemble traditional banking and payment systems that facilitate the storage and exchange of billions of dollars in assets, including virtual currencies. However, consumers report being harmed by scams or theft […]

Study finds cybersecurity doesn’t have significant impact on identity theft

A. Oloyede, I. Ajibade, C. Obunadike, A. Phillips, O. Shittu, E. Taiwo, all of Austin Peay State University, and S. Kizor-Akaraiwe of the University of Washington have written A Review of Cybersecurity as an Effective Tool for Fighting Identity Theft across United States, 12 International Journal on Cybernetics and Informatics, No.5, (October 2023). Here is […]

New FTC rule protects businesses from telemarketing fraud and affirms protections against AI-enabled scam calls

The Federal Trade Commission announced on Thursday a final rule extending telemarketing fraud protections to businesses. The FTC also announced a proposed rule that would provide the agency with significant new tools to combat tech support scams. Both actions are part of the FTC’s review of the Telemarketing Sales Rule, which includes the Do Not […]

FTC reports on to Congress on the Do Not Call (DNC) Registry

The Federal Trade Commission today issued its biennial report to Congress on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry. According to the report, more than 249 million consumers have placed their telephone numbers on the Registry over the past two year. The report also notes that the FTC has received more than two million Do […]

NY Times article about how cars track consumers

  The article, by Kashmir Hill, is headlined Your Car Is Tracking You. Abusive Partners May Be, Too. Excerpt: Modern cars have been called “smartphones with wheels” because they are internet-connected and have myriad methods of data collection, from cameras and seat weight sensors to records of how hard you brake and corner. Most drivers don’t realize […]

Meta calls 100-year-old Federal Trade Commission unconstitutional

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, owner of WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, filed a lawsuit this week in Washington, DC challenging the constitutionality of the Federal Trade Commission. The complaint questions FTC’s longstanding structure and processes, including the agency’s administrative proceedings, its executive authority (although it is led by presidentially-nominated and Congressionally-confirmed commissioners), and its authority to protect […]

FCC, FTC announce fact-finding projects on AI and consumer protection

The Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission recently released notices to gather information on the use of advanced technologies in consumer sectors that the regulators oversee. The FCC announced that it is exploring emerging AI technologies and their connection to its work to protect consumers from unwanted and illegal calls and text messages […]

CFPB proposes rule on personal financial data rights

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau just announced a proposed rule under section 1033 of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to address personal financial data rights that would ensure consumers have certain protections and control over their information. Among other things the rule would: Require financial institutions to share data with other entities at […]