On September 1, 2021, the FTC banned the operator of a stalkerware app company and its CEO from offering, promoting, selling or advertising any surveillance app, service or business, alleging that the app allowed purchasers to illegally surveil other individuals by monitoring their device activity without their knowledge.
Continue Reading FTC Bans Stalkerware App Company from the Surveillance Business and Orders Company to Delete Any Illegally Collected Information
Mobile App
Irish Commissioner Fines WhatsApp €225 Million For GDPR Violations
On September 2, 2021, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission announced a fine of €225 million ($266 million) against WhatsApp Ireland Ltd for failure to meet the transparency requirements of Articles 12-14 of the EU General Data Protection Regulation.
Continue Reading Irish Commissioner Fines WhatsApp €225 Million For GDPR Violations
New Mexico Attorney General Files COPPA Suit Against Game Developer
On August 25, 2021, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas sued Rovio Entertainment, the developer of the popular Angry Birds mobile app games, alleging that the Company violated the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act by knowingly collecting data from players under age 13 and sharing it with advertisers.
Continue Reading New Mexico Attorney General Files COPPA Suit Against Game Developer
Italian Garante Fines Deliveroo 2.5M Euros for Unlawful Processing of Personal Data
On August 2, 2021, the Italian Data Protection Authority announced that it had levied a €2,500,000 fine on Deliveroo Italy s.r.l. for the unlawful processing of personal data of approximately 8,000 Deliveroo riders and various infringements of the GDPR.
Continue Reading Italian Garante Fines Deliveroo 2.5M Euros for Unlawful Processing of Personal Data
Dutch DPA Fines TikTok 750,000 EUR for Transparency Violations
On July 22, 2021, the Dutch Data Protection Authority announced that it had imposed a 725,000 EUR fine on TikTok for violating the privacy of young children, namely for the company’s alleged lack of transparency.
Continue Reading Dutch DPA Fines TikTok 750,000 EUR for Transparency Violations
FTC Settles Children’s Privacy Case Against Online Coloring Book App, Recolor
On July 1, 2021, the FTC settled a COPPA complaint against Toronto-based operators of the online coloring book app, Recolor.
Continue Reading FTC Settles Children’s Privacy Case Against Online Coloring Book App, Recolor
White House Issues Executive Order on Protecting Americans’ Sensitive Data from Foreign Adversaries
On June 9, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order on Protecting Americans’ Sensitive Data from Foreign Adversaries, which elaborates on measures to address the national emergency regarding the information technology supply chain declared in 2019 by the Trump administration in Executive Order 13873.
Continue Reading White House Issues Executive Order on Protecting Americans’ Sensitive Data from Foreign Adversaries
Google to Prevent App Developers from Using Advertising ID for Any Purpose Following User Opt-Out
On June 3, 2021, Google informed app developers that beginning in late 2021, when Android 12 OS users opt out of personalized ads, the advertising ID provided by Google Play services will not be made available to app developers for any purpose.
Continue Reading Google to Prevent App Developers from Using Advertising ID for Any Purpose Following User Opt-Out
Google Play to Require Android App Data Privacy and Security Disclosures
Google has announced that beginning in the second quarter of 2022, developers submitting new apps and app updates to the Google Play store will be required to disclose certain information regarding their apps’ data collection, use, sharing and security practices, as well as provide a privacy policy for their apps.
Continue Reading Google Play to Require Android App Data Privacy and Security Disclosures
Apple’s ATT Framework to Go Into Effect April 26, 2021
Apple has announced that its AppTracking Transparency Framework will go into effect starting April 26, 2021, along with the upcoming public release of iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5 and tvOS 14.5.
Continue Reading Apple’s ATT Framework to Go Into Effect April 26, 2021