Pump The Brakes or Step on the Gas? An Analysis of Emerging AI Regulatory Frameworks

Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is growing exponentially and has infiltrated nearly every sector of society. Despite the technology’s growth, the US has yet to pass comprehensive federal legislation addressing its use, commercialization, and development. Although several states such as New York, Maryland, and Washington have implemented their own regulations, no such supervisory scheme has been broadly…

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Former Uber Security Chief Convicted of Federal Charges Stemming From 2016 Extortionate Data Breach

Uber’s former Chief Security Officer, Joe Sullivan, was convicted of two federal charges—obstruction of justice and misprision of a felony—for his role in covering up an extortionate data breach in 2016, which compromised more than 50 million personal records of Uber drivers and passengers, while the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) was probing Uber’s privacy protections. …

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New California Law Establishes Broad Protections for Children’s Online Privacy – Exceeding Federal Requirements

California made history in September as the first state to enact legislation that punishes technology companies for violations of minors’ privacy and for practices that jeopardize minors’ safety in an effort to prioritize “the privacy, safety, and well-being of children over commercial interests.”  On September 15th, Governor Newsom signed The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act…

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The FTC Weighs In: Online Services Must Be Diligent When Kids’ Privacy At Stake

WW International (f/k/a Weight Watchers) seems to be doing children a service: the company developed an online program tailored to address childhood weight issues.  The program, offered by WW subsidiary Kurbo, has an app, youthful professional coaches, and many features that look promising both to attract and to retain program young subscribers. Plus, the program…

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Federal Court Dismisses Illegal Lottery Claims Against Omaze, Emphasizing Adequacy of Fundraiser’s Alternative Means of Sweepstakes Entry

 As covered in this blog, in most states, companies that offer sweepstakes entries with certain purchases must also allow free entry (often called “alternative means of entry” or “AMOE”). This requirement stems from the three elements that generally make up regulated gambling: (1) consideration, (2) prize, and (3) chance. Random-chance giveaways inherently meet the latter…

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New Federal Court Decision Counsels “Clear and Conspicuous” Advertisement of Alternative Means of Sweepstakes Entry – Coinbase Suit Proceeds

  Most states require that companies offering sweepstakes allow entry without requiring purchase or other consideration. This alternate means of entry, or “AMOE,” avoids liability under gambling and lottery statutes by removing the “consideration” element in state gambling and lottery laws. A recent decision in California federal court has shed new light on how sweepstakes…

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Law Firms Champing at the Bit(coin)

Cryptocurrencies, such as the industry leaders Bitcoin and Ethereum, appear to be on the slow march towards popular acceptance as legitimate means of payment. As evidence of both legitimacy and the sluggishness of acceptance, several Bar Associations have weighed in with opinions on the ability of lawyers to accept cryptocurrencies as payment for legal services.…

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FTC Tells Advertisers – Fake Reviews and Endorsements Are Going to Cost You

Does your company or its affiliate advertisers use celebrities or influencers  to market your services? Do you use customer reviews to promote your offerings? The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”), energized by new Chairperson Lina Khan, just sent out notices to over 700 companies – including many household names (https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/attachments/penalty-offenses-concerning-endorsements/list-recipients-endorsement-notice.pdf)  warning them about using fake reviews…

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