The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning small businesses that they are being targeted by scammers through a new coronavirus-related scam. The scam “starts with an email that claims to come from the ‘Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance.’ It says you’re eligible for a loan of up to $250,000 and asks for personal
Federal Trade Commission
Privacy Tip #267 – Fertility Tracking App Settles with FTC
Flo Health, Inc., (Flo) which offers a fertility-tracking app (Flo Period & Ovulation Tracker) used by more than 100 million customers, has agreed to settle with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to dismiss the FTC’s claims that Flo shared the health information of its users with data analytics firms despite promising users that it would…
Everalbum Settles with FTC over Facial Recognition Technology in its Ever App
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced its settlement with Everalbum Inc. (Everalbum) for its Ever app, a photo and video storage app, due to its alleged deception of consumers related to the app’s use of facial recognition technology and its retention practices around deactivated accounts.
Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Everalbum must delete models and…
The Effect of a Biden-Harris Presidency on Privacy in the U.S.
How will a Biden-Harris presidency affect the U.S. privacy landscape? Let’s take a look.
Federal Privacy Legislation
On both sides of the political aisle there have been draft proposals in the last 18 months on federal privacy legislation. In September, movement actually happened on federal privacy legislation with the U.S. Setting an American Framework to…
Privacy Tip #259 – On Veterans Day: Tips for Veterans to Avoid Scams
Today on Veterans Day, we thank all veterans for their service and dedication to our democracy.
Unfortunately, it is well-known that veterans are targeted with scams, so providing tips today to help prevent scams against them is timely.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has provided such tips for veterans, which can be read here.
The…
Privacy Tip #244 – Beware of Scammers Posing as Utility Company Employees
The coronavirus pandemic has caused millions of people to lose their jobs and many are struggling to make ends meet, including paying their utility bills. With economic turmoil comes scammers ready to take advantage of heightened anxiety and to prey on individuals when they are the most vulnerable.
Recently, scammers have been posing as employees…
Privacy Tip #233 – Be Wary of Coronavirus Telemarketing Calls
The scammers know that most of us are working from home and are trying to use this to their advantage. The robocalls have increased, and telemarketers are calling more frequently, but with a new twist—preying on fears of consumers about coronavirus.
I am on the Do-Not-Call list, yet I am still getting many unwanted robocalls.…
Oregon Senator Introduces Sweeping Legislation to Secure Personal Information and Hold Corporations Accountable
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, recently introduced comprehensive privacy legislation, known as the “Mind Your Own Business Act” (MYOB Act), to provide protections for the private data of Americans and to hold corporate executives accountable if they abuse such information. While this isn’t the first such legislation introduced in Congress and is unlikely…
FTC Seeks Information from ISPs on Privacy Procedures
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued an Order to File a Special Report to seven Internet broadband providers in the U.S., requesting information on how the companies “collect, retain, use and disclose information about consumers and their devices.”
According to its press release, the FTC “is initiating this study to better understand Internet service providers’…
Privacy Tip #182 – FTC Issues 2018 Annual Report on Data Privacy and Security
In the midst of unending robocalls, news of big tech companies collecting, using and monetizing consumers’ information, and hackers and scammers, we forget that anyone is doing anything to protect our privacy.
Only somewhat comforting against that backdrop is the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) annual report on its privacy and security work, which was released…