I admit that when I am looking online for restaurants, consumer products, and places to stay, I generally look at reviews and they influence my decision. However, there have been numerous reports that reviews are often fake and unreliable. That has become so pervasive that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule in
FTC Concentrating Enforcement Efforts on Use of AI in Operation AI Comply
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Artificial Intelligence
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated a new “law enforcement sweep called Operation AI Comply.” The operation shows that the FTC is serious about protecting consumers from companies that use artificial intelligence (AI) tools and services to “trick, mislead, or defraud people.” Such conduct is “illegal,” and in announcing the first five enforcement…
Privacy Tip #414 – Beware of Fraud Schemes Promising Big Monetary Rewards from AI
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Privacy Tips
Fraudsters are using the hype of new technology, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), to commit fraud on consumers. The same bad guys are just spinning buzzwords to develop new schemes to take advantage of consumers.
This week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it took enforcement action against five companies “that use AI hype or…
Privacy Tip #407 – Social Media Fake Check Scam
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Data Privacy, Data Security
It is sometimes hard to identify a scam, especially when it involves payment with a check. We are all wary of promises to pay electronically and to provide our bank account numbers for direct access to our bank account (well, we all should be).
A new scam being reported to the FTC is targeting young…
Privacy Tip #404 – July is Military Consumer Month Helpful Tips for Those in Service + Thank You
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Privacy Tips
July is Military Consumer Month. On the eve of the Fourth of July, we celebrate democracy and the past service of our veterans and those presently in service for protecting us and our democracy. Thank you so very much.
It is therefore fitting for July to be deemed Military Consumer Month. Special attention should be…
US Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Offers AI Guidance for Government Contractors and Other Employers
By Robinson+Cole's Data Privacy + Cybersecurity Team on
Posted in Artificial Intelligence
On October 30, 2023, President Biden issued Executive Order 14110, aiming to ensure the responsible and safe development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in federal hiring. In compliance, the US Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has released guidance for federal contractors to prevent discrimination in artificial intelligence-driven hiring practices. …
Federal Trade Commission Continues to Target Healthcare Companies for Unauthorized Data Disclosures
By Robinson+Cole's Data Privacy + Cybersecurity Team on
Posted in Enforcement + Litigation
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has assumed the authority to enforce unauthorized data disclosures under the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act). During the past three weeks, the FTC has used this authority to go after healthcare companies that disclose their customers’ personal data without permission.
On April 11, the FTC sued Monument, an online…
What’s in the Proposed American Privacy Rights Act?
By Robinson+Cole's Data Privacy + Cybersecurity Team on
Posted in Data Privacy
Congress is once again entertaining federal privacy legislation. The American Privacy Rights Act (APRA) was introduced by Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA).
Unlike current laws, the APRA would apply to both commercial enterprises and nonprofit organizations, as well as common carriers regulated by…
Privacy Tip #396 – FTC Settles with InMarket for Selling Precise Location Information of Consumers
By Linn Foster Freedman on
Posted in Privacy Tips
On May 1, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a settlement with InMarket Media (InMarket), a digital marketing and data aggregator, to resolve the FTC’s allegations that InMarket “unlawfully collected and used consumers’ location data for advertising and marketing.”
The complaint filed by the FTC against InMarket alleged that InMarket collects and aggregates location…
AI, Government Contractors, and Employment Discrimination
By Robinson+Cole's Data Privacy + Cybersecurity Team on
Posted in Artificial Intelligence
Increasingly, companies use AI to evaluate job applications and make interviewing or hiring decisions. However, government contractors who use artificial intelligence to evaluate job applications should ensure that the AI not only complies with anti-discrimination laws but also fulfills their contractual responsibilities. Federal contractors with contracts of $10,000 or more are subject to Executive Order…