Many app developers overlook privacy and security by failing to do one of the most basic first steps of data protection – informing consumers of their practices. For example, in a study published in 2016 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 80% of diabetes apps surveyed didn’t have a notice informing consumers about privacy practices. Another recent study of thousands of apps involving all topics revealed that nearly 50% lacked a privacy notice. A study by the Future of Privacy Forum in 2016 revealed that “only 70% of top health and fitness apps had a privacy policy.”
I’m pleased to announce that a new 4th edition of my short guide, PRIVACY LAW FUNDAMENTALS(IAPP 2017) (co-authored with Professor Paul Schwartz) is now out in print. This edition incorporates extensive developments in privacy law and includes an introductory chapter summarizing key new laws, cases and enforcement actions.
Privacy Law Fundamentals is designed with an accessible, portable format to deliver vital information in a concise (318 pages) and digestible manner. It includes key provisions of privacy statutes; leading cases; tables summarizing the statutes (private rights of action, preemption, liquidated damages, etc.); summaries of key state privacy laws; and an overview of FTC, FCC, and HHS enforcement actions.
“This is the essential primer for all privacy practitioners.” — David A. Hoffman, Intel Corp.
“In our fast-paced practice, there’s nothing better than a compact and accessible work that is curated by two of the great thinkers of the field. It is a gem.” — Kurt Wimmer, Covington & Burling LLP
“Two giants of privacy scholarship succeed in distilling their legal expertise into an essential guide for a broad range of the privacy community.” — Jules Polonetsky, Future of Privacy Forum
“This book is my go-to reference for when I need quick, accurate information on privacy laws across sectors and jurisdictions.” — Nuala O’Connor, Center for Democracy and Technology
The Federal Trade Commission is the most important federal agency regulating privacy and security. Its actions and guidance play a significant role in setting the privacy agenda for the entire country. With the Trump Administration about to take control, and three of the five Commissioner seats open, including the Chairperson, a lot could change at the FTC. But dramatic change is not common at the agency. What will likely happen with the FTC’s privacy and security enforcement over the next four years?
I created a new poster about information security training, which is debuting at the RSA conference. This poster is based on the fact that the vast majority of information security incidents and data breaches occur because of human mistakes. Information security is only in small part a technology problem; it is largely a human problem.
If you’re at RSA and are interested in information security awareness training, please drop by the TeachPrivacy booth at Moscone North 4802.
You can pick up a copy of this poster. And you can also learn about our newest training, which includes a really neat Where’s Waldo style game where users spot privacy and security risks.
I’m pleased to announce a new training program: Spot the Risks: Privacy and Security. The program is a Where’s Waldo style risk-spotting game that takes about 5 minutes to complete. Trainees are asked to spot the risks in an office. Feedback is provided about each risk so trainees learn many of the most important best practices.
