The Summer 2019 Edition of the quarterly IT & Data Protection Newsletter by Reed Smith Germany has just been released: English version German version In this edition we cover the following topics: ECJ and GDPR: Another decision hitting social media activities by companies EDPB does not opt for changes to EU standard contractual clauses EU … Continue Reading
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) recently published a summary report of its fact finding forum on data protection issues arising from advertising technology (adtech). Adtech is a term commonly used to refer to all technologies, software and services used for delivering and targeting online advertisements. The ICO compiled responses from over 2,300 participants in an … Continue Reading
On 21 March 2019, Advocate General Maciej Szpunar (“AG”) delivered an opinion on cookie consent, information obligations regarding cookies and consent bundling (Case C-673/17, Planet49 GmbH v. Bundesverband der Verbraucherzentralen und Verbraucherverbände – Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband e.V.). In the case at issue, users entering into a promotional lottery were confronted with two checkboxes: A checkbox obtaining … Continue Reading
The Bavarian Data Protection Authority (‘Bavarian DPA’) audited major Bavarian websites for their use of tracking tools on Safer Internet Day. It calls its findings “desolate”. None of the tracking tools were implemented in a compliant manner. Audit by the Bavarian DPA Tracking and the requirements for using cookies have been a highly debated topic … Continue Reading
In an interview dated February 2018,[1] Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, at the Head of the French data protection authority (CNIL), stated that the CNIL would adopt a flexible and pragmatic approach from May 2018 onwards when controlling compliance with data protection requirements. The first decision of sanction rendered by the CNIL on Monday January 21, 2019, which … Continue Reading
Since California enacted its Automatic Purchase Renewals Law (APRL) in 2010, the plaintiffs’ class action bar has been active in suing companies with subscription-based services for their alleged failures to comply with the APRL requirements. The lawsuits stem from the alleged failure to comply with the disclosure, consent, and acknowledgment requirements applicable to many types … Continue Reading
On 26 April 2018, the Conference of German Data Protection Authorities (German DPAs) released a highly criticised position paper on the applicability of the German Telemedia Act (TMA) after 25 May 2018 (Position Paper, available in German here). The Position Paper clearly states that tracking and profiling cookies now require informed prior opt-in consent. Position … Continue Reading
On 10 April 2018, the Article 29 Working Party (WP29) published revised guidelines on consent under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Consent is one of the six GDPR bases for the lawful processing of personal data. Technology Law Dispatch looked at the WP29’s draft guidelines on consent earlier this year. This article examines the … Continue Reading
The Winter 2018 edition of the quarterly IT & Data Protection Newsletter by Reed Smith Germany has just been released. We cover new case law on marketing consent, cookie consent, the liability of platform providers, employee data protection, sales of address data and the right to be forgotten. The newsletter also includes multiple recommended reads … Continue Reading
The Regional Court of Berlin held in a judgment of 16 January 2018 (docket no. 16 O 341/15, German language version of the judgment available here) that Facebook’s default privacy settings and parts of their terms and conditions were invalid. This judgment provides important guidance on consent and transparency. Background The Federation of German Consumer … Continue Reading
On 28 November 2017, the Article 29 Working Party (“WP29”) published its guidelines on consent under the General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). The guidelines are open for public consultation until 23 January 2018. They provide an analysis of the concept of consent. They also provide practical guidance for organisations on the requirements to obtaining and … Continue Reading
The Spanish Data Protection Authority (AEPD) has imposed a fine of €1.2 million against Facebook following its investigation into whether Facebook’s data processing activities were in accordance with the Spanish Data Protection Act (Law 15/1999) (the Act). In its decision, the AEPD concluded that Facebook had committed serious breaches of the Act, as discussed further … Continue Reading
Lyft, Inc. – the popular ride hailing service featuring the iconic pink moustache – is facing a second class action lawsuit in California alleging violations under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”). This alleges that Lyft sent unwanted and unsolicited text messages to cellphones using an automated dialing system without first obtaining express written consent … Continue Reading
In a decision of 31 August 2015, the First-Tier Tribunal provided important clarification on the use of third-party mailing lists. Optical Express v Information Commissioner (EA/2014/0014) is significant for organisations that use or are considering using such lists. The case was concerned with an appeal by Optical Express (‘OE’) against an Enforcement Notice issued by … Continue Reading
The Article 29 Data Protection Working Party (Working Party) released Opinion 9/2014 on ePrivacy Directive 2002/58/EC (amended in 2009), stating that the consent and transparency mechanisms apply to digital fingerprinting of devices (Opinion). The Working Party issued the opinion to clarify that consent was required and to end “surreptitious tracking” of users in light of … Continue Reading
This post was also written by Matthew N. Peters. In early May the Italian data protection authority (“Garante”) issued “Simplified Arrangements to Provide Information and Obtain Consent Regarding Cookies” (“Guidelines”). These are intended to provide clarity on the application of Legislative Decree No. 69/2012 (the “2012 Act”), which implemented the EU Cookie Directive in Italy. The … Continue Reading
This post was also written by Taisuke Kimoto. On May 10, the Japanese Government released a report regarding the use of personal information in Big Data applications. This comes just months after Japan announced plans to provide guidance on data anonymisation as part of the ‘Japan Revitalisation Acceleration Programme’ (see our related blog). The report was … Continue Reading
This post was written by Cynthia O’Donoghue. In its second opinion on the proposed Data Protection Regulation, the Article 29 Working Party suggests that a natural person can be considered identifiable when, within a group of persons, he or she can be distinguished from other members of the group and consequently be treated differently. They … Continue Reading
This post was written by Cynthia O’Donoghue. On 25 January 2012 the EC proposed a uniform legal framework for providing legal certainty on data protection. The most notable proposed change is that from a European Directive to a Regulation (the Proposed Regulation) to ensure directly enforceable implementation across all Member States. The Proposed Regulation sets … Continue Reading
This post was written by Daniel Kadar. A new regulation of the CNIL, dated 12 June 2012 and published on 13 July 2012, modifies the ways and means of collecting and processing client/prospect-related data. The regulation, issued as an amendment to the “Simplified Norm No. 48” [http://www.cnil.fr/en-savoir-plus/deliberations/deliberation/delib/184/], broadens the possibility for data controllers to make … Continue Reading
On 2 April, 2012, after almost a year of preparation, the International Chamber of Commerce UK (“ICC”) launched its UK Cookie Guide designed to help website operators and website users comply with new EU rules on the use of cookies. The ICC hopes that if the Guide becomes widely adopted by website operators, then users will … Continue Reading
This post was also written by Nick Tyler. On Christmas Day, organisations operating in the UK will have just five months to get their act together and comply fully with the new EU-wide rules on cookies. See earlier Client Alerts: ‘What Cookies Are In Your Jar?’ – ICO’s guidance on compliance with new EU cookie law … Continue Reading
