Internet Governance
Senator Markey Introduces Privacy Bill Of Rights: The consumer data protection bill, which is designed to curb companies’ discriminatory use of data, would require that companies collect consumer information only to provide specifically requested services and would mandate that companies “protect and secure” the consumer information that they possess.
Privacy
Google’s Sensorvault Helps Law Enforcement: Law enforcement officials in the United States are using information stored in a Google database of location records called Sensorvault to identify suspects; after receiving a “geofence request” from law enforcement, Google can look to Sensorvault data to identify devices based on location and movement patterns and can then reveal associated names and email addresses to law enforcement once the field is narrowed to a few devices.
Information Security & Cyberthreats
Hackers Leak Federal And Law Enforcement Agents’ Personal Details: A group of hackers infiltrated websites run by the FBI National Academy Association, stole around 4,000 unique details about members including names, job titles, home addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers, and uploaded the stolen content onto their website.
Intellectual Property
Apple And Qualcomm Settle Patent Royalty Dispute: The settlement results in the dismissal of all litigation between the two companies, and includes a requirement that Apple pay Qualcomm an undisclosed amount; the parties have also reached multi-year license and chipset supply agreements.
Free Expression & Censorship
Google Suspends TikTok In India: After the Madras High Court of India refused to stay its order banning social video and music app TikTok, Google suspended access to the app in the country; the High Court issued the ban after observing pornography and other inappropriate content on the app, and also appointed an independent counsel to examine the app’s implications.
In Trying To Prevent Misinformation, YouTube Shows Unrelated News: During the Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris, YouTube’s live streaming coverage displayed an unrelated history overlay about the 9/11 attacks; the mix-up was due to an error in a YouTube algorithm created to fact-check and prevent the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories on the platform.
Practice Note
Another Anti-Terrorism Act Suit Against Tech Giants Fails: The Sixth Circuit affirmed dismissal of a suit alleging that Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube’s poor self-policing afforded the perpetrator of the Pulse Nightclub shooting encouragement and assistance from ISIS in violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act; the court affirmed the District Court’s finding that the social media sites’ conduct did not proximately cause the shooting.
On the Lighter Side
Get A Zoom, You Two: AI on the camera of Google’s Pixel 3 smartphone is now able to detect when you are puckering up to kiss someone and will automatically take a photo to capture the slimy moment.
Joel R. Reidenberg
Stanley D. and Nikki Waxberg Chair and Professor of Law
Founding Academic Director, Fordham CLIP
Tom Norton
Executive Director, Fordham CLIP
Praatika Prasad
Quinn Nicholas D’Isa
Editorial Fellows, Fordham CLIP