In this issue:

- FTC Releases Final Amendments to Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule

- Mobile Apps Face Heightened Privacy Enforcement - Policies and Practices Scrutinized

- Global and European Data Protection Law: What Will the Hot Issues Be in 2013?

- FCC Declares Opt-Out Confirmation Text Messages Allowable under the TCPA, Makes No Sweeping Changes to Its Interpretation of the Statute

- Agency Issues Guidance on De-Identification of Health Information: Process Guidance May Have Far-Reaching Influence

An excerpt from "Mobile Apps Face Heightened Privacy Enforcement - Policies and Practices Scrutinized" -

Mobile app developers faced new scrutiny at state and federal levels this past December, with app makers removing apps and taking action to respond. On December 6, 2012, California Attorney General Kamala Harris filed suit against Delta Air Lines after its failure to include a privacy policy within its mobile app. A few days later, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a report titled “Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade,” which concluded that industry has made little or no progress in improving privacy disclosures in children's mobile apps since the FTC issued its last report on this topic in February 2012. The report also signaled that the FTC has launched multiple non-public investigations of children’s app developers regarding their privacy disclosures and practices. These developments parallel the growth of mobile devices generally and make clear the importance of addressing privacy considerations in the mobile space.