By: Linda L. Goodman Hitting the news today is a large-scale Google malvertising campaign. A Google advertising partner redirected users from an otherwise legitimate ad to a website intended to install malware on users’ computers. Security researchers from Dutch security […]
Still Think Registering with the Safe Harbor was a Good Idea?
By: Linda L. Goodman Today the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a settlement with two U.S. businesses charged with false claims that they were abiding by an international privacy framework known as the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor, which enables U.S. companies […]
NEW YORK A.G. HALTS SALES AT GNC, TARGET, AND WALGREENS
By: Linda L. Goodman Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman sent out Cease and Desist Letters to four major retailers, GNC, Target, Walmart, and Walgreens, claiming store-brand herbal supplement products did not contain the labeled substance or contained ingredients not listed […]
Geolocation – Hot Topic?
By: Linda L. Goodman Several times this week I was asked, “in the event an application owner transparently disclosed that it will collect information as to the whereabouts of the user via the device’s GPS in its privacy policy, is […]
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Slams Sprint for Partnering with Third-Parties to Cram Consumers Mobile Bills with Unauthorized Charges
By: Linda L. Goodman On December 17, 2014, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) filed a lawsuit slamming Sprint Corporation for illegally billing wireless consumers tens of millions of dollars in unauthorized third-party charges and ignoring consumer complaints about the […]
Geolocation Data Collection and Use Must be Provided in Your Privacy Policy!
By: Linda L. Goodman On November 19, 2014, the Senate Committee sent a letter to Uber Chief Executive Officer following social network rumors (started by an Uber executive) that Uber was tracking journalists who opposed their services. In an attempt […]
State Attorney Generals Demanding Further Changes to the Telemarketing Sales Rule!
By: Linda L. Goodman 38 state Attorney Generals (“AGs”) demanded updates to the Telemarketing Sales Rule (“TSR”). In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), the AGs called for a number of new requirements as part of the FTC’s […]
TRUSTe Still Trustworthy?
By: Linda L. Goodman TRUSTe’s Certified Privacy Seals are littered on websites throughout the internet. TRUSTe claims in advertisements that it is “the #1 privacy brand,” and says its Certified Privacy Seal is “recognized globally by consumers, businesses, and regulators […]
No Really Means No -Marketers Pay $3 Million for Order Violation
By: Linda L. Goodman In 1997, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) granted an order against ICON Health & Fitness, Inc. (“ICON”) which prohibited the marketers from making unsubstantiated claims for weight-loss exercise equipment and required that an endorser’s claim reflect […]
Intermundo Hit for False Lead Generation Ads
By: Linda L. Goodman Intermundo, doing lead generation as Delta Prime Refinance used its Internet-based operation to drive potential borrowers for mortgage refinancing to lenders, will pay a $500,000 civil penalty to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceived […]