(Podcast) The Briefing: Are LEGO Creations Based on Religious Texts Eligible for Copyright Protection?
The Briefing: Are LEGO Creations Based on Religious Texts Eligible for Copyright Protection?
The UK GDPR Children’s Code
There is a federal law, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), that requires app developers to obtain parental consent before collecting information from children under the age of 13. The law has been on the...more
While smart toys can certainly be useful educational tools for children, they also present some potential privacy risks and could invade what is traditionally a private space. Think about it—the thought of your child’s toy...more
Since 2015, the advent of smart and internet-connected toys has, according to some practitioners, transformed this age from that of the “Internet of Things” to the “Internet of Toys.” The potential unlawful surveillance and...more
Morgan Stanley shook the financial world yesterday with the announcement that it’s planning to drop $13 billion on a deal to purchase online discount brokerage E-Trade—the “biggest takeover by a major American lender since...more
Most companies have a privacy policy in place for the protection of consumer data (or should), but merely adopting a reasonable privacy policy is by itself not enough. Rather, a company must also actively ensure compliance...more
On January 8, 2018, the FTC announced that VTech, maker of electronic toys for children, agreed to settle charges that it violated the law by collecting personal information without parental consent....more
In this month's edition of our Privacy & Cybersecurity Update, we discuss Poland's potential exemptions from the new EU data law and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency's recommendations for U.S. banks faced with...more
In its first case involving connected toys, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a settlement with VTech Electronics over allegations that the company violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)....more
The Federal Trade Commission on Jan. 8 announced its first settlement of alleged violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act arising from internet-connected toys. The FTC complaint against VTech followed the...more
Every year, especially around the holidays, more and more products that connect to the internet hit the market. For adults, connected home devices that act like personal domestic assistants have become increasingly popular....more
On January 8, 2018, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) brought its first-ever privacy and data security case involving Internet-connected toys. VTech Electronics Limited and its US subsidiary (VTech), maker of...more
Most people have heard of the Internet of Things, or IoT. With the holidays fast approaching, and with the onslaught of new smart and Internet-connected smart toys, for parents and toy manufacturers, at least for the next few...more
The Federal Trade Commission on October 23, 2017, provided guidance on how it will enforce the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) with respect to audio recordings of children. This comes as part of a wave of...more
In considering a toy website’s online promotion, the Children’s Advertising Review Unit recommended that the company improve its privacy practices in order to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)...more
In August 2017, Disney and three of its software developer vendors were sued in a class action in California in which it was alleged that Disney collected children’s information in violation of the Children's Online Privacy...more
As connected devices become ubiquitous, it comes as no surprise that interactive toys that connect to the internet are more popular than ever. At the same time, regulators have taken note of the privacy and security concerns...more
A recent update of the FTC’s COPPA compliance plan for businesses focuses on internet-connected toys and devices aimed at children; FBI issues a Public Service Announcement with a similar focus....more
New technologies and the expansion of the Internet of Things have allowed children of this generation to experience seamless interactive technologies through microphones, GPS devices, speech recognition, sensors, cameras and...more
“Pleeeease?!” Buying a quick gift or giving in to your child’s pleas for a new toy is quickly becoming a more serious decision. In the age where toys can happily entertain kids by talking to them, the few precious moments...more
BART’s App Crashes Into Privacy Suit - San Francisco’s mass transit organization crashed into a class action in which the plaintiff alleged that its mobile app has been illegally collecting personal information from users....more
Privacy advocates in both the United States and Europe are urging regulators to take a hard look at the privacy ramifications of internet-connected toys, which are often conventional toys augmented by companion mobile...more
On February 27, 2017, news reports disclosed a major security breach involving Spiral Toys, the seller of the CloudPets brand of internet-connected stuffed animals. The Bluetooth-connected CloudPets toys allow users to...more
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) on January 10 confirmed that it was reviewing a complaint filed by privacy activists, which alleges that toys manufactured by Genesis Toys using Nuance Communications’ voice technology...more
FTC Reports on Disclosure Workshop - Following its September workshop, the Federal Trade Commission published a report on “Putting Disclosures to the Test.” Almost 1,000 individuals attended the workshop—225 in...more
On December 6, 2016, The Electronic Privacy Information Center, The Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood, The Center for Digital Democracy and Consumers Union filed a Complaint and Request for Investigation, Injunction...more