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February 2023 was a momentous month for Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). Just two weeks after imposing a 5-year time limit for all BIPA claims, the Illinois Supreme Court resolved another pressing issue. In Cothron v. White Castle System, Inc., the Illinois Supreme Court considered whether a BIPA claim accrues every time a company scans or transmits a person’s biometric identifier (e.g., fingerprint) without consent. In a closely divided 4-3 ruling, the Court answered “yes.”…

Continue Reading Illinois High Court Rules “Per-Scan” Damages Can Be Awarded Under BIPA

The California AG announced an investigative sweep of mobile apps, as we reported in our sister blog. The investigative focus is on companies in the retail, travel and food service industries who may not be complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). As we have written previously, the California law requires entities to provide individuals with a myriad of rights, including as it relates to “sale” of personal information.…

Continue Reading Mobile Apps Beware!: California AG’s Current Privacy Sweep

Two states recently passed laws with specific data security requirements for entities that are gaming operators or licensees. These new regulations in Nevada and Massachusetts add to the already complex set of data security laws that exist at the federal and state level. In the US, companies may be subject to certain data security laws because of the type of information they collect or because of the industry they are in (financial, healthcare, insurance, telecommunications, etc.). The gaming industry is the latest to add to the mix.…

Continue Reading Gaming Operators Latest to See Specific Privacy & Cybersecurity Laws

The New York and Pennsylvania AGs settlement with Herff Jones from late last year provides guidance to businesses about expected security measures as we enter into 2023. The case arose after Herff Jones, producer and seller of graduation goods, suffered a breach resulting in the theft and sale of customer payment card information.…

Continue Reading Graduation Goods Settlement: A Good Reminder of AGs’ Data Security Priorities

On Friday, February 3, the CPPA is scheduled to meet about current and forthcoming CPRA regulations. The Board had previously signaled that it expected to finalize the draft regulations in late January or early February 2023. The agenda confirms that the CPRA regulations will be discussed, including “possible adoption” or “modification” of the text.…

Continue Reading Movement on CPRA Regulations Expected

Recently, the CFPB released an outline of proposed measures related to the Bureau’s Dodd-Frank Section 1033 rulemaking efforts that would allow consumers to take control of their personal financial data and determine which third parties could have access to such data. The CFPB is seeking comments on the rulemaking, by January 25, 2023.…

Continue Reading CFPB Starts Year Seeking Comments on Proposals to Give Consumers Enhanced Control of Financial Data

The EU released its draft adequacy decision for the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, but all is not smooth sailing. As we wrote in October, the US developed the proposed new framework in response to the declared inadequacy of the EU-US Privacy Shield program. …

Continue Reading EU’s Initial Response to US Proposed Data Transfers Framework

As many are aware, the CPRA regulations are currently in draft status and may continue in that state until April, despite the law’s January 1 effective date. This could result in regulations being in final form after the July 1 date that the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPPA) has signaled that it will begin enforcement. Last week, during a Dec. 16 CPPA board meeting, the agency’s executive director indicated that the final rules will likely be released at the end of January. Although there will then be a comment period, the director indicated that the agency does not currently anticipate making further revisions to the draft regulations. …

Continue Reading How To Handle CPRA Regulations Delay

An Illinois state appellate court’s recent ruling will impact how companies consider compliance with Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). That court ruled companies must have a BIPA-compliant written retention-and-destruction policy in place before collecting and possessing biometric data. The decision makes clear that mere possession of biometric data triggers the duty to develop the necessary written BIPA policy. In relevant part, under BIPA’s section 15(a), companies must establish a written, publicly-available policy that governs their retention and destruction of biometric data.…

Continue Reading Illinois Appellate Court Weighs in on Biometric Data Policies

The FTC is closing out 2022 with additional guidance for mobile health app developers signaling its continued interest in this industry. Since 2021, we have seen several steps from the agency demonstrating a focus on companies that collect health information but may not be a covered entity or business associate under HIPAA. This includes publishing additional resources, releasing commentary broadly interpreting the FTC’s Health Breach Notification Rule, and enforcement activity. Most recently, the FTC and other key regulators updated its “Mobile Health App Interactive Tool”.…

Continue Reading FTC and Other Regulators Continue to Signal Interest in Mobile Health Apps