Privacy Law

Wrongly released documents in student’s drowning death show lifeguard ignored warnings

A lifeguard ignored warnings by three students before discovery of a body at the bottom of a school swimming pool in Chicago, according to documents approved for release by a Chicago judge last week. Judge Peter Flynn of Cook County had initially banned publication of the documents in the 2017…

Feb 11, 2019 10:56 AM CST

NYPD threatens Google with legal action to stop pinpointing police activity through app

In a letter sent to Google last weekend, the New York Police Department threatened legal action if the technology company ignored demands to remove a feature on its Waze app that allows users to post locations of police checkpoints. Ann Prunty, the acting deputy commissioner for legal matters, wrote in…

Feb 8, 2019 3:23 PM CST

Discovery documents provided to Russian firm were altered and posted online, Mueller says

Law firm Reed Smith has released a statement Wednesday saying its computer systems were not breached after special counsel Robert Mueller revealed that someone claiming to be a hacker had posted discovery materials provided to its client, a Russian company accused of funding a Russian effort to interfere in the…

Jan 31, 2019 9:00 AM CST

Judge in Yahoo data breach case criticizes ‘unreasonably high’ attorney fees

A federal judge in San Jose, California, on Monday refused to approve a class action settlement in litigation over a series of Yahoo data breaches, citing a lack of transparency and the possibility of “unreasonably high” attorney fees. U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh cited several problems with the proposed settlement,…

Jan 30, 2019 1:46 PM CST

Lawyer’s suit says FaceTime bug allowed secret recording of deposition, caused emotional trauma

A Houston lawyer filed a lawsuit against Apple Inc. on Monday alleging that a FaceTime bug allowed the recording of a private deposition. The suit by Larry Williams II does not give any details about the recorded deposition, but it says the breach caused “permanent and continuous injuries, pain and…

Jan 30, 2019 9:25 AM CST

Privacy rights of lawyers and their clients should be protected during border searches, ABA House urges

The federal judiciary, Congress and the Department of Homeland Security should protect the privacy of those crossing the border by setting standards for searches and seizures of electronic devices and for protection of attorney-client privilege, the work product doctrine and lawyer-client confidentiality, according to a resolution passed overwhelmingly by the ABA House of Delegates on Monday at the ABA Midyear Meeting in Las Vegas.

Jan 28, 2019 6:21 PM CST

Compelling biometric features to unlock phones is ‘abuse of power,’ U.S. judge rules

Calling an FBI warrant application “an abuse of power” and “unconstitutional,” a U.S. magistrate judge has ruled that federal authorities cannot compel suspects to unlock their phones with biometric features. The case involves a Facebook Messenger extortion plot where two suspects allegedly said they would release an embarrassing video unless…

Jan 17, 2019 10:21 AM CST

Law requiring Airbnb to turn over detailed data likely violates Fourth Amendment, judge says

A federal judge in Manhattan has issued a preliminary injunction blocking a New York City ordinance that requires websites such as Airbnb and HomeAway to turn over what he termed “voluminous data” about their customers. U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer ruled Thursday that the law likely violates the Fourth Amendment,…

Jan 4, 2019 9:54 AM CST

Is recording others legal, and is it ethical?

A lawyer taping a client may be illegal in some circumstances, but it certainly is not unheard of. In fact, lawyers have surreptitiously tape-recorded conversations with witnesses, potential party opponents and clients.

Jan 1, 2019 2:10 AM CST

California’s new data privacy law could change how companies do business in the Golden State

Tracking parts of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 gives consumers access to their data, the right to have their personal data deleted and the ability to opt out of having their data sold.

Jan 1, 2019 1:50 AM CST

California imposes new regulations on ‘internet of things’ devices

California has passed a law regulating the security of internet-enabled devices sold in the state. While many see it as a step in the right direction, others think the law doesn’t go far enough to secure these technologies.

Dec 10, 2018 7:00 AM CST

Objector lawyers committed ‘fraud on the court’; says Illinois appeals court

Updated: A law firm that claimed professional objectors were extorting fees in class action lawsuits will be able to introduce evidence supporting the allegation as a result of an Illinois appeals court decision. The First District Appellate Court of Illinois ruled for the Edelson law firm and also sent a…

Dec 4, 2018 9:48 AM CST

What do AI, blockchain and GDPR mean for cybersecurity?

Emerging technologies will affect cybersecurity in the coming years. Artificial intelligence and blockchain will play pivotal roles in data protection, creating new solutions, risks and regulatory headaches.

Dec 1, 2018 1:25 AM CST

Kansas AG argues no right to voter data privacy in federal court

The Kansas attorney general’s office is defending Kris Kobach, the outgoing Kansas secretary of state, by saying there is no right to privacy when it comes to state voter data, according to recent federal court filings.

Nov 16, 2018 10:36 AM CST

Judge orders Amazon to provide Echo recordings in double homicide case

A judge in New Hampshire has ordered Amazon to release recordings from an Echo device in the Farmington home where two women were found fatally stabbed in January 2017. Judge Steven Houran of Strafford County ordered release of any recordings on Friday, report the Union Leader, WMUR, the Associated Press,…

Nov 12, 2018 2:48 PM CST