As threatened, TikTok, Inc. and ByteDance, Ltd., the owner of the TikTok app, filed suit against the United States on May 7, 2024, alleging that the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act...more
5/9/2024
/ Biden Administration ,
China ,
Constitutional Challenges ,
Data Collection ,
Data Protection ,
Divestiture ,
Due Process ,
Federal Bans ,
Fifth Amendment ,
First Amendment ,
Foreign Adversaries ,
Free Speech ,
Mobile Apps ,
National Security ,
New Legislation ,
Personal Information ,
Privacy Concerns ,
Social Media ,
Spyware ,
Takings Clause ,
TikTok
President Biden signed a historical aid package into law on Tuesday that includes aid for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific region. The package also includes a bill increasing sanctions on Russian assets and requiring...more
4/25/2024
/ Biden Administration ,
China ,
Data Collection ,
Data Protection ,
Divestiture ,
Federal Bans ,
Foreign Adversaries ,
Mobile Apps ,
National Security ,
New Legislation ,
Personal Information ,
Privacy Concerns ,
Social Media ,
Spyware ,
TikTok
Car manufacturer General Motors (GM) is the subject of litigation in Georgia by two New Jersey Chevy Bolt drivers who allege that GM collected data about their driving habits and behavior and disclosed it to third parties,...more
The bill that passed in the U.S. House of Representatives potentially banning TikTok’s use in the U.S. is not a novel idea. The federal government has already banned TikTok’s use for federal employees, some states have banned...more
3/14/2024
/ China ,
Data Collection ,
Data Protection ,
Federal Bans ,
Mobile Apps ,
National Security ,
Pending Legislation ,
Personal Information ,
Privacy Concerns ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Social Media ,
TikTok
We have been keeping a keen eye on the explosion of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and generative AI. We are assisting clients with Governance Programs to formulate a process to evaluate the use of AI in their...more
I have the pleasure to present an advanced session on cybersecurity to tax preparers at the IRS’ National Tax Preparers Forum each year. The sessions are well attended, and I enjoy meeting attendees and talking about the...more
It is so convenient now to order food from restaurants and have it delivered right to your door with delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Restaurants and delivery drivers depend on these services and orders to make...more
8/3/2023
/ Delivery Drivers ,
DoorDash ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Fraud ,
Gig Economy ,
Independent Contractors ,
On-Demand Services ,
Privacy Concerns ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Scams ,
Uber
The use of generative AI tools, such as Chat GPT, has grown exponentially. However, many users do not understand how the technology works, and how the use of generative AI collects personal or sensitive information of users....more
As artificial intelligence, also known as “AI” becomes more of a household word, it is worth pointing out not only how cool it can be, but also how some uses raise privacy concerns....more
If you don’t know what geofencing is, I will give you some articles to read so you can become better educated on exactly what it is and how it is used to track you. It’s all a bit creepy, but is a good thing to understand....more
Like all technology, mobile apps can be infected with malicious code, or malware, that is intended to gain access to your mobile phone when you download the app. Although app stores try their best to not allow malicious apps...more
The Internal Revenue Service previously announced in November 2021, that it would use facial recognition technology offered by ID.me to authenticate taxpayers before using any online services the IRS provides, including...more
As we enter the holiday shopping season, cyber criminals are sharpening their cyber-scam strategies. We like to remind our readers about the enhanced risk during the holidays. There has been an increase in online shopping...more
This is not the first post discussing location-based services on mobile phones. And it won’t be the last. After reading my colleague’s post on the priest who resigned from his high-profile position after his location was tied...more
7/22/2021
/ Data Collection ,
Geolocation ,
Location Data ,
Location Privacy ,
Mobile Apps ,
Mobile Devices ,
Privacy Concerns ,
Privacy Policy ,
Privacy Settings ,
Telecommunications ,
Tracking Systems
Once again, Apple is leading the pack on privacy and implementing new privacy controls, starting next week. What does this mean for you?...more
I once drove over the Golden Gate Bridge in a rental car not knowing that it was a toll bridge and that no cash payment options were available. I slowly and stressfully tried to figure out what to do, but realized I had no...more
I continue to be quite surprised at the lack of understanding that people have about personal assistants such as Alexa and Echo. It seems logical to me that when you yell out “Alexa, turn on the lights!”...more
8/28/2020
/ ALEXA ,
Amazon Echo ,
Connected Items ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Privacy ,
Data Protection ,
Data Security ,
Internet of Things ,
Oral Communications ,
Personal Assistants ,
Privacy Concerns
After incidents of Zoom “bombing,” including a recent intrusion by hackers to disrupt a church service with foul content (don’t these guys have better things to do?), it has been reported that hackers are now taking advantage...more
As most of you know, I rarely download an app. However, here’s one I just downloaded and here’s why. The Jumbo Privacy app, available in the Apple store, is all about providing consumers with a way to audit their privacy and...more
10/24/2019
/ Apple ,
Dark Web ,
Data Protection ,
Information Security ,
Mobile Apps ,
Mobile Device Management ,
Mobile Devices ,
Personally Identifiable Information ,
Privacy Concerns ,
Risk Management ,
Security Audits
Everyone knows how I feel about those home genetic testing kits—most people don’t understand that when they send their DNA to a private company that it is not protected by HIPAA or any other law, and the company can legally...more
I once again had the pleasure of presenting Cybersecurity for Tax Professionals at the IRS Nationwide Tax Forum today. The conference is designed for tax professionals in small- to medium-sized businesses....more
8/9/2019
/ Cell Phones ,
Consumer Information ,
Data Collection ,
Location Data ,
Location Privacy ,
Mobile Apps ,
Mobile Device Management ,
Mobile Devices ,
Mobile Privacy ,
Personal Data ,
Privacy Concerns ,
Privacy Settings ,
Risk Management ,
Smartphones
While we have been talking about the very important message of educating employees about data security, I find that giving employees tips about their personal data security keeps them interested and engaged during education...more
6/28/2019
/ Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) ,
Cell Phones ,
Confidential Information ,
Data-Sharing ,
Information Technology ,
Location Privacy ,
Mobile Apps ,
Mobile Device Management ,
Mobile Devices ,
Mobile Privacy ,
Personal Data ,
Privacy Concerns ,
Proprietary Information ,
Risk Management ,
Vulnerability Assessments
I attended a meeting of cybersecurity professionals recently and overheard several of them talking about their new security cameras and how great it is to see everyone who comes up the driveway and to the front door, and...more
Everyone hates passwords. They are difficult to remember, and human nature is to re-use them across platforms, which is well-known to be a no-no. Managing passwords is time consuming, cumbersome and a pain. Which is why they...more
In the midst of unending robocalls, news of big tech companies collecting, using and monetizing consumers’ information, hackers and scammers, we forget that anyone is doing anything to protect our privacy....more