On January 15, 2014, the Federal Trade Commission announced a proposed settlement with Apple Inc. stemming from allegations that the company billed consumers for mobile app charges incurred by children without their parents’ consent. Apple agreed to pay a minimum of 32.5 million USD to provide refunds to consumers and to change its billing practices no later than March 31, 2014.
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UK High Court Rules in Cookies Claim Against Google
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On January 16, 2014 the High Court in London rejected submissions made on behalf of Google Inc. (“Google”) that the case brought against it by three UK-based users of Apple’s Safari browser should be heard in the U.S., rather than before an English court. The decision means that the case could be heard before a court in England, although media reports suggest Google will appeal the decision.
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Luxembourg DPA Will Not Investigate Microsoft or Skype over Involvement in the PRISM Program
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The Luxembourg data protection authority has stated that it will not investigate complaints relating to the alleged involvement of Microsoft Luxembourg and Skype Software S.a.r.l. and Skype Communications S.a.r.l. in the PRISM surveillance program.
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State AGs Reach Settlement with Google on Safari Tracking
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On November 13, 2013, Google entered into a $17 million settlement agreement with the attorneys general from 37 states and the District of Columbia related to allegations that the company bypassed users’ cookie-blocking settings on Apple’s Safari browser in 2011 and 2012. The settlement requires Google to refrain from bypassing cookie controls in the future…
German Court Rules Apple’s Privacy Policy Violates German Law
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On April 30, 2013, the regional court of Berlin enjoined Apple Sales International, which is based in Ireland, from relying on eight of its existing standard data protection clauses in contracts with customers based in Germany. The court also prohibited Apple’s future use of such clauses.
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California Ruling Finds Song-Beverly Act Does Not Apply to Online Transactions
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Posted in Online Privacy, U.S. State Law
On February 4, 2013, the Supreme Court of California held that the Song-Beverly Credit Card Act does not apply to online purchases in which the product is downloaded electronically. …
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French Data Protection Authority Unveils 2010 Annual Activity Report
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On November 16, 2011, the French Data Protection Authority published its Annual Activity Report for 2010. The Report highlights the CNIL’s major accomplishments from 2010 and its priorities for 2011, and includes recommendations for the revision of the EU data protection framework.
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FTC Announces First Privacy Settlement Involving Mobile Applications
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On August 15, 2011, the Federal Trade Commission announced its first settlement involving mobile applications, imposing a $50,000 penalty for a mobile app developer’s violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and the FTC’s COPPA Rule.
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Senators Franken and Blumenthal Co-Sponsor Location Privacy Protection Act
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Posted in Enforcement, U.S. Federal Law
On June 15, 2011, Senators Al Franken and Richard Blumenthal introduced a bill intended to “close current loopholes in federal law to ensure that consumers know what location information is being collected about them and allow them to decide if they want to share it.”
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Lawsuits Allege Apple Applications Sent Personal Information to Third Parties
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In late December 2010, consumers filed two class action lawsuits against Apple Inc., claiming that several applications they downloaded from Apple’s App Store sent their personal information to third parties without their consent.
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