Michael Gennaro reports: Google argued at a motion for summary judgment hearing Thursday afternoon that a proposed class action filed by Google users over data collection is meritless. At issue in the case is the Web and App Activity toggle in Android device’s settings. Turning the toggle off prevents future web and app activity being…
Category: Online
Social media platforms that mine user data aren’t shielded by federal communications law, California court says
Edvard Pettersson reports: Meta and Snap, insofar as they are in the business of mining and monetizing users’ data, can’t hide behind the Stored Communications Act to avoid turning over posts and communications to the defendant in a murder case. A San Diego-based appellate court rejected the arguments by the two social media companies on Tuesday and…
KOSA, COPPA 2.0 Likely to Pass U.S. Senate
Lindsey Tonsager, Nicholas Xenakis, and Thea McCullough of Covington and Burling write: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) yesterday, July 23, initiated procedural steps that will likely lead to swift Senate passage of the Kids Online Safety Act (“KOSA”) and the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA 2.0”). Both bills have been…
U.S. Senate Passes SHIELD Act to Criminalize Distribution of Private Intimate Images Online
Nicholas Xenakis and Diana Lee of Covington and Burling write: On July 10, 2024, the U.S. Senate passed the Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution (“SHIELD”) Act, which would criminalize the distribution of private sexually explicit or nude images online. Specifically, the legislation makes it unlawful to knowingly distribute a private intimate visual depiction of…