<b><i>Online Extra</b></i> Tech Players Line Up Against ITC Power to Ban Digital Files
October 31, 2014
Congress gave the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) the power to bar imports of products that infringe U.S. patents or otherwise offer their makers an unfair competitive edge. But should the ITC be able to block the flow of information as well? The question is forcing the courts to deal with the legal ramifications of the digital age. And last month, it prompted a flood of amicus briefs from groups concerned that a ruling in an…
The Brave New World of Internet Copyright Trolls
October 02, 2014
Copyright trolls are in the business of acquiring the right to bring lawsuits against alleged infringers and threatening to file copyright infringement claims in order to induce rapid settlements against large groups of defendants.
Google Accounts to Kids May Harm Their Privacy
October 02, 2014
Recently, multiple media outlets reported that Google plans to offer accounts for their wide array of services to children under 13 years of age. While the details regarding this alleged plan have not been publicized, it has already created a lot of concern with multiple privacy advocates.
Data in the Cloud
October 02, 2014
The cloud is everywhere, raining down apps and digital services on companies. The potential benefits are clear: more storage and portability of company information and customer data, as well as time and cost savings for management and employees.
Cross-Border Cybercrime and the Cybersecurity Wars
October 02, 2014
The Home Depot data breach may be the largest in the U.S. yet, affecting not only millions of customers in the U.S., but also shoppers at its 180 stores in Canada. Home Depot said customers who shopped at its U.S. and Canadian stores as far back as April were exposed, meaning the breach extended for more than four months including the busy summer season.
Collecting Social Security Numbers
October 02, 2014
In the first half of 2014, at least 96 significant data breaches were reported, compromising more than 2.2 million records. Of these breaches, at least 46 involved records that may have contained Social Security Numbers (SSNs). What the affected businesses may not know is that the mere collection of SSNs may have put them in violation of state laws, in addition to the liability they may now face for having failed to protect the SSN information.