Valentine’s Day is marketed as a celebration of love—roses, cards, public tributes, and carefully curated posts declaring devotion. Yet before posting a perfectly worded caption, sending a private message, or striking up a...more
Gmail users are being urged to review and disable two key “Smart Features” settings following privacy concerns stemming from reports that these tools may allow Google to access email content to support AI‑driven services and...more
On December 15, the Department of State (DOS) announced it will expand its social media vetting requirement to additional nonimmigrant visa classifications, including H-1B, H-4 dependents, F, M, and J. As a result of this...more
The U.S. State Department (DOS) has announced expanded visa screening procedures impacting H-1B specialty occupation workers and their H-4 dependents applying for visas at U.S. consular posts abroad. Beginning December 15,...more
The U.S. Department of State announced that starting on December 15, 2025, the social media vetting requirement currently in place for F, M and J visa applicants will expand to include H-1B visa applicants and their H-4...more
A trial court imposed a $10,000 sanction on attorneys for conducting juror research on a social media platform in a $174 million lawsuit. Elliot Weld, Alston & Bird Sanctioned $10K For LinkedIn Juror Research – Law360 (Oct....more
In today’s hyper-connected world, social media is an integral part of many people’s daily life — so much so that we often take it for granted. It’s where we share milestones, vent frustrations, and document even the most...more
Wired has reported that several government officials involved in the Signal chat exposing sensitive national security plans have also exposed their Venmo accounts by not adjusting their account privacy settings to prohibit...more
On March 7, 2025, the Office of the New York State Attorney General (NY AG) published an Assurance of Discontinuance (Assurance) settling claims against Saturn Technologies, Inc. (company), a developer of a social media app...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
More than ever before, consumers are aware of their rights when it comes to their privacy online. Whether they understand the letter of the law exactly or not, the reality is that as privacy rapidly evolves, so do the...more
After the downing of the Chinese spy balloon by U.S. Forces in early February 2023, several additional objects have been identified over U.S. and Canadian airspace. While officials have denied that these were additional spy...more
For some time now, dark patterns have been quite the trending topic for both marketers and privacy professionals. Regulators have frequently railed against dark patterns that purport to manipulate user choices, usually...more
On September 15, 2022, California Governor Newsom announced his signing of A.B. 2273, the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, which the legislature passed on August 30. The law – modeled after the United Kingdom...more
California’s Governor signed Assembly Bill (AB) 2273, the first of its kind state legislation that requires businesses that provide online services, products, or features likely to be accessed by children to comply with...more
On August 30, 2022, the California Legislature passed A.B. 2273, the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act. The bill – which is modeled after the United Kingdom Information Commissioner’s Office code of practice for age...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
Once again, Apple is leading the pack on privacy and implementing new privacy controls, starting next week. What does this mean for you?...more
My mother-in-law lives on a farm in rural Oklahoma. Living out in the country was a dream of my in-laws for a long time, and after retiring, they made it a reality over 19 years ago. They bought 43 acres of land, and the goal...more
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has announced that it will exercise its enforcement discretion for health care providers’ and their business associates’ noncompliance with the HIPAA...more
More and more often industry reports reveal that many individuals perceive less and less control over their own personal information. So it’s not a coincidence that the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCSA) designated this...more
On January 19, 2021, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Notice of Enforcement Discretion (Notice) announcing that it will not impose penalties for...more
The National Security Agency (NSA) recently released helpful guidance on how to effectively limit location data exposure for its staffers, which also can be helpful information for the general public. Businesses likely will...more
1. Help employees manage their individual privacy - Encourage employees to update their individual account privacy settings by visiting Update Your Privacy Settings on staysafeonline.org. ...more
Initially, it is important to recognize that any password security tool is only an aid to increased data security. Use of that tool does not and should not substitute for prudent judgment. You cannot cede you privacy...more