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On May 1, 2019, WSGR held an event in which regulators and experts discussed privacy developments in the U.S. and Europe. The first session featured a fireside chat with the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) Bureau of Consumer Protection Director, Andrew Smith, on “The State of Play at the FTC on Privacy.” In case you missed it, here are the key takeaways from the discussion:

  • More specificity in data security orders. Director Smith noted that we should expect to see more specificity in data security orders moving forward, particularly after the Eleventh Circuit’s decision in LabMD.1 He mentioned that the FTC’s approach to post-LabMD orders is still evolving, but the next data security order entered will likely reflect the FTC’s new approach.

Continue Reading WSGR Event Recap: The State of Play at the FTC on Privacy

On April 25, 2019, the new chairman and the four directors of the new Belgian data protection authority were sworn in before the Belgian Parliament. This marks a new era for data protection law in Belgium.

Background

Following the effective date of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on May 25, 2018, the Belgian Privacy Commission was restructured into a Supervisory Authority under the GDPR, thus becoming the Belgian Data Protection Authority. It was given new enforcement powers, including the ability to impose fines up to €20 million or 4 percent of total worldwide annual turnover (whichever is higher).Continue Reading Belgian Data Protection Authority Is Up and Running

On January 10, 2017, the European Commission published a Proposal for a Regulation (Proposal) relating to privacy rules for the electronic communications sector. The Proposal will impose new, more rigorous privacy regulatory obligations on nearly all companies doing business in the EU over the Internet. It will address a host of important issues including the processing of communications content and metadata, and the use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth tracking for Internet-based services and technology providers.  Once enacted, the Proposal will replace the e-Privacy Directive and will complement the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

As part of the legislative process, the European Parliament Committee (one of two legislative bodies charged with reviewing the Proposal) issued a Draft Report  in June 2017 and is reviewing more than 800 proposed amendments to the Proposal. In addition, the Article 29 Working Party (WP29)—the body of EU data protection authorities—published a non-binding opinion (the Opinion) on the Proposal in April 2017, urging a number of revisions that would impose even more obligations on covered companies.

This article provides a status update about the Proposal, including the main requirements currently under discussion at the European Parliament and an overview of the next steps. Read our previous WSGR Alert for more information about the Proposal and the Draft Report.
Continue Reading Status Update on the EU e-Privacy Regulation Proposal Discussions