Deborah M Isaacson

December 18, 2023 | New York Law Journal

A 2021 survey by Common Sense Media found that 88% of children between the ages of 13 and 18 had their own smartphone and 57% of children between the ages of 8 and 12 had their own tablet. The survey results caught the attention of the FTC, which actively enforces the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule. The FTC now has issued a staff report, "Protecting Kids from Stealth Advertising in Digital Media", based on what it learned from its October workshop on the topic.

By Amanda R. Griner and Deborah M. Isaacson

9 minute read

October 16, 2023 | New York Law Journal

The U.S. Supreme Court has granted certiorari in two cases involving government officials who blocked individuals from their social media accounts. The issue presented to the court is whether government officials who block members of the public from their personal social media accounts are engaging in "state action" or private conduct.

By Amanda R. Griner and Deborah M. Isaacson

9 minute read

August 14, 2023 | New York Law Journal

After briefly describing deep fakes and highlighting several relatively famous (or infamous) examples, this column will focus on a number of bills introduced recently in the New York legislature—including one in particular that may soon be heading to the governor's desk.

By Amanda R. Griner and. Deborah M. Isaacson

10 minute read

June 16, 2023 | New York Law Journal

A number of states across the country have passed laws focused on regulating the commercial use of facial recognition and other biometric information technologies. Here in New York, bills were introduced in January and February relating to biometric privacy. Most importantly, on May 18 the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued the policy statement "Biometric Information and Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act." After briefly reviewing the current developments, this article delves into the policy statement and the implications for businesses in New York and elsewhere.

By Amanda R. Griner and Deborah M. Isaacson

10 minute read

April 17, 2023 | New York Law Journal

A discussion of H.R. 1165, the Data Privacy Act of 2023, introduced on Feb. 24 by Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC), chair of the House Financial Services Committee, to "modernize financial data privacy laws and give consumers more control over how their personal information is collected and used."

By Amanda R. Griner and Deborah M. Isaacson

10 minute read

February 17, 2023 | New York Law Journal

As the U.S. Supreme Court is set to decide the standard that should be used to determine when an online statement is a "true threat" unprotected by the First Amendment, this article looks at the issues surrounding social media speech when courts must differentiate between mere hyperbole and actual threat.

By Amanda Griner and Deborah M. Isaacson

10 minute read