Privacy & Data Security Update (2015)

To mark Data Privacy Day, the Federal Trade Commission released their 2015 Privacy and Digital Security Update, highlighting the initiatives it undertook in 2015 to meet that goal, including law enforcement, reports, public workshops, educational efforts, and international cooperation. The FTC's initiatives in 2015 included launching IdentityTheft.gov, a new resource to help people report and recover from identity theft. Just this week, it enhanced the website. Identity theft victims now can get free, interactive personal recovery plans, step-by-step guidance, and pre-filled letters and forms to speed their recovery. In 2015, we brought or resolved enforcement actions against:

• Companies that we charged failed to secure consumers’ personal information, including Oracle, Wyndham, and Lifelock
• Businesses that we alleged misused consumers’ information, such as Sequoia One and CWB Services, LLC, or tricked seniors and others into disclosing their financial information, like Pairsys, Inc. and Click4Support, LLC; and
• Organizations that we alleged violated children’s privacy, including Retro Dreamer and LAI Systems.

The FTC also hosted workshops and issued reports on cutting-edge issues such as the Internet of Things, cross-device tracking, and online lead generation. Earlier in Jan the FTC hosted PrivacyCon, a first-of-its kind FTC event examining pioneering research and trends in protecting consumer privacy and security.