State AGs

Legislation was recently introduced in the Senate that would significantly bolster the Federal Trade Commission’s authority to enforce privacy and data security laws, and preempt the patchwork of presently existing data privacy regimes. Intended to address those that utilize, process and benefit from consumer data in “unfair and deceptive ways,” the Consumer Data Privacy and…

In December 2019, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed legislation enacting the Nuisance Call Act. The Act closes a loophole in Do Not Call Registry that permitted live telemarketers to call those on the list. It requires live voice outbound telemarketers to provide consumers the option to be added to the seller’s DNC list. If…

New York Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood recently announced the conviction and sentencing of Freevi Corp. (d/b/a Sungame Corp.) and its former Chief Executive Officer, both having pleaded guilty to grand larceny and securities fraud in connection with a scheme to steal millions from investors by soliciting investments in computer tablets. Both were sentenced to…

The Federal Trade Commission and the New York Attorney General’s Office have announced that two New York-based operations and their principals have been charged with running a scheme to collect money from consumers on bogus debts. The Federal Trade Commission has been aggressive of late when it comes to investigating and initiating enforcement actions against…

On May 16 ,2018, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced charges of extortion, money laundering and identity theft against four defendants allegedly connected to Mugshots.com. The website utilizes data from law enforcement and publishes it without consent. According to reports, when subjects request removal of their booking photos, they are routed to another website and charged…

New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has introduced a new measure to “close major gaps” in the state’s “weak and outdated” data security laws. The Stop Hacks and Improve Electronic Data Security Act (SHIELD Act) would impose a legal responsibility for businesses to adopt “reasonable” administrative, technical and physical safeguards for sensitive data. The…