Some State Data Encryption Requirements More Effective than Others

Posted by Randy Gainer

State and federal laws encourage businesses to encrypt consumers’ computerized personal information. Most state data breach notice laws do not require businesses to notify their customers when customers’ digital personal information has been stolen or lost if the information was encrypted. The Federal Trade Commission encourages but does not mandate that consumers’ personal data be encrypted. See Protecting Personal Information, A Guide for Businesses

Nevada enacted a statute that goes further and affirmatively requires businesses to encrypt certain consumer data. Washington and Michigan are currently considering legislation that would also require consumer data to be encrypted. The Nevada statute and the pending Washington and Michigan bills contain different encryption requirements. Of the various measures, the proposed Michigan bill and the Washington Senate bill would most effectively protect consumer data if they are enacted.

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Privacy Coalition Requests FTC to Probe Ask.com; In Response, Ask.com and its Allies Cry Foul

Posted by Hozaifa Cassubhai

The election season may be in full swing, and the buzz about the recent Superbowl at full throttle, but heated debates and bravado are not just limited these days to politicians and athletes.  Recently, search engine vendor Ask.com and its supporters have come out swinging against several privacy groups over a complaint they recently filed that requested the Feds to forcibly pull the plug on a new feature called AskEraser. As Nicholas Graham, a spokesman for Ask.com stated: [The complaint] merits a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct.

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