On February 10, 2020, the Belgian Data Protection Authority published its Recommendation on data processing activities for direct marketing purposes. The Recommendation aims to clarify the complex rules relating to processing personal data for direct marketing purposes.
Continue Reading Belgian Data Protection Authority Releases Direct Marketing Recommendation

On November 5, 2019, Representatives Anna G. Eshoo (CA) and Zoe Lofgren (CA) introduced the Online Privacy Act, which is sweeping legislation that would create federal privacy rights for individuals, require companies to adhere to data minimization and establish a federal Digital Privacy Agency.
Continue Reading Representatives Eshoo and Lofgren Introduce Online Privacy Act

Alastair Mactaggart, drafter of the 2018 California ballot initiative that served as the basis for the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, announced that he is filing a new initiative for California’s November 2020 ballot, the California Privacy Enforcement Act.
Continue Reading Drafter of CCPA Ballot Initiative Filing New Privacy Proposal for the 2020 Ballot

On August 8, 2019, the FTC announced that Unrollme Inc. (“Unrollme”), an email management company, agreed to settle allegations the company deceived consumers about how it accesses and uses their personal emails. Unrollme offered users a service whereby the company would help unsubscribe users from unwanted subscription emails. In connection with this service, Unrollme required users to provide the company with access to their email accounts. The FTC alleged that Unrollme falsely told consumers it would not “touch” their personal emails. In fact, the FTC alleged, Unrollme shared its users’ email receipts (“e-receipts”) (i.e., emails sent to consumers following a completed transaction) with its parent company, Slice Technologies, Inc. The FTC’s complaint alleged that the parent company used information from the e-receipts (such as the user’s name, address, and information about products or services the individual purchased) for purposes of its own market research analytics products.
Continue Reading Unrollme Inc. Settles with FTC Over Allegedly Deceptive Email Practices

On August 5, 2019, the Centre for Information Policy Leadership (“CIPL”) at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP responded to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s (“OPC”) reframed consultation on transfers for processing. The reframed consultation replaced a previously suspended OPC consultation dealing with the same topic to which CIPL had also responded.
Continue Reading CIPL Responds to Canada’s Reframed Consultation on Transfers for Processing

The UK Information Commissioner’s Office has issued a Monetary Penalty Notice to pensions release provider Grove Pensions Solutions Ltd, fining it £40,000 after the company used contact details collected by a third party for its direct marketing campaign.
Continue Reading UK ICO Fines Pensions Release Provider for Unsolicited Marketing Emails