Month: October 2020

TikTok and Children Under 13 Years Old: How the Video Sharing App Continues to Evade Mandatory Privacy Protections

TikTok, a short-form mobile video sharing app, continues to evade mandatory privacy protections put in place by the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, despite an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission and public statements detailing their commitment to protecting children under 13 years old. The future owner(s) of the app should learn from the current owner’s missteps by taking fervent action to demonstrate their desire to protect young users. … Read More TikTok and Children Under 13 Years Old: How the Video Sharing App Continues to Evade Mandatory Privacy Protections

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Failure to Launch: Highlighting the Progression of U.S. Data Privacy Through the Proposed New York Privacy Act of 2019

New York’s latest effort to regulate the collection of its residents’ private data was a considerable advancement in American data protection. Although the 2019 New York Privacy Act failed to get signed into law, its proposal included the concept of an “informational fiduciary”, establishing a new standard in protecting state resident data privacy rights.… Read More Failure to Launch: Highlighting the Progression of U.S. Data Privacy Through the Proposed New York Privacy Act of 2019

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Tag! You’re it!- Facebook’s affair with facial recognition software and how it resulted in a $650 million dollar settlement

This blog examines Facebook’s violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. It explains how Facebook’s use of facial recognition technology software led to the social media juggernaut paying a $650 million dollar settlement to its users.… Read More Tag! You’re it!- Facebook’s affair with facial recognition software and how it resulted in a $650 million dollar settlement

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Fighting Cancer vs. Fighting Your Health Insurance Company: Proton Therapy Edition

This blog discusses a short history of how proton beam radiation therapy came about and how the technology works. The blog further discusses how the treatment’s contemporariness to the world of cancer treatments is turning into a battle between patients and insurance companies over covering the costs of it.… Read More Fighting Cancer vs. Fighting Your Health Insurance Company: Proton Therapy Edition

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“Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way”: How Digitalization and COVID-19 May Influence the Future of Probate

This blog discusses the potential consequences of a change in legislation towards a more lenient approach to wills and probate, especially in light of the societal changes that are ensuing due to the restrictions of the coronavirus pandemic. While proponents of such a change note convenience and accessibility as major incentives, there are several risks that may accompany a major expansion to traditional estate planning practices.… Read More “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way”: How Digitalization and COVID-19 May Influence the Future of Probate

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ESPORTS: The Billion-Dollar Industry Living in the Wild West

This blog revolves around issues that current esports athletes face as the industry struggles with the growing pains of becoming a global conglomerate. More specifically, this will dive into the drama that enveloped one of North America’s most popular esports entities, Team Solo Mid, this past year. An absolutely bizzare chain of events set into motion an eye-opening experience for current, future, and even former players. … Read More ESPORTS: The Billion-Dollar Industry Living in the Wild West

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What the Supreme Court’s Abolishment of the Lanham Act Means for the Future of Trademarks and the Washington Football Team

This blog discusses the Supreme Court’s recent decision abolishing the Lanham Act which was the only guideline that constituents had to follow in registering a trademark. Is it necessary that Congress proposes a new set of guidelines or has the public norm shifted on what constitutes a socially acceptable trademark? Increased access to social media has helped shed light on offensive, immoral, and racist trademarks that do not make sense in contemporary society. … Read More What the Supreme Court’s Abolishment of the Lanham Act Means for the Future of Trademarks and the Washington Football Team

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You Are Not Alone; I Am Here with You…. Socially Distant Of Course.

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) is pushing the expansion of the use of technology into unimaginable aspects of our lives. The crisis is forever changing the healthcare industry, particularly mental health. The ongoing battle with COVID-19 is causing mental health education and treatment organizations to adapt to a new normal. Online services are the new appointment meeting as patients demand access to mental health services outside the clinic or a private office. Online therapy, also known as teletherapy, is the new normal, but is it worth the costs? A significant number of clinicians and therapists are unprepared for properly conducting treatments online compounded with the multiple issues arising from the inherent use of technology to deliver online services. … Read More You Are Not Alone; I Am Here with You…. Socially Distant Of Course.

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Defying Authority: The Repercussions of Epic Games Overlooking App Store Policies.

An attempt by Epic Games (“Epic”) to circumvent a 30% revenue cut to both Apple and Google has backfired. Epic’s popular game Fortnite has been removed from Apple’s App Store (“App Store”) and Google’s Google Play Store (“Play Store”). The removal from both stores will leave millions of mobile players without the ability to play or update Fortnite. … Read More Defying Authority: The Repercussions of Epic Games Overlooking App Store Policies.

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2020 Massachusetts State Election Ballot Question #1: Debate Over Access to Automobile Telematics Systems Places Voters in the Driver’s Seat

This article considers both sides of the debate surrounding Massachusetts Ballot Question #1, looking at the arguments being made by the opposing Right to Repair and Secure Data Coalitions. In addition, context is given to this debate through looking at the debate’s history and the possible implications of a successful Yes vote and a successful No vote. … Read More 2020 Massachusetts State Election Ballot Question #1: Debate Over Access to Automobile Telematics Systems Places Voters in the Driver’s Seat

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COVID-19 Highlights Ride-Share Employment Issues: Massachusetts Takes Action

Following in California’s footsteps, Massachusetts filed suit against Uber and Lyft, seeking declaratory judgment that the companies’ drivers are employees, not independent contractors. Employees are offered important protections under Massachusetts Wage and Hour Laws, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted the need for these benefits for Massachusetts workers.… Read More COVID-19 Highlights Ride-Share Employment Issues: Massachusetts Takes Action

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TikTok Ban in the United States Still Unknown: Will the Lawsuit Happen?

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on August 6, 2020, banning TikTok in the United States if a U.S. buyer does not come forward by September 15, 2020. With that date being extended and a potential deal between TikTok and the U.S. company Oracle, it is uncertain if the ban of TikTok will occur.… Read More TikTok Ban in the United States Still Unknown: Will the Lawsuit Happen?

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The Future of Facial Recognition Technology: A Balancing Act Between Costs and Benefits

Facial recognition software has proven to be a powerful tool for police to investigate crimes and catch criminals, but at what cost to peoples’ civil liberties? The technology has presented several inherent risks, particularly when it comes to bias and the invasion of peoples’ privacy. Currently, the technology is widely unregulated, but significant strides have been taken by lawmakers that indicate it is time to take action to create and enforce regulations. The question lingering is how law enforcement’s utilization of the technology can align with the privacy of citizens under the Fourth Amendment.… Read More The Future of Facial Recognition Technology: A Balancing Act Between Costs and Benefits

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Ethical Issues to Consider Before Entering Lego World Builder: A “High-Risk” World of Copyright

This blog describes how the efficient nature of Lego’s crowd-sourcing platform, Lego World Builder, comes at the cost of relinquishing intellectual property ownership rights for creative users. The blog further looks at the ethical copyright issues that are implicated by the use of the platform and what legal consequences creators need to consider before submitting their work to the platform. … Read More Ethical Issues to Consider Before Entering Lego World Builder: A “High-Risk” World of Copyright

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Hands-Free Driving: Potentially Coming to UK Roadways by 2021

The United Kingdom has launched a new consultation and “call for evidence” on Automated Lane Keeping Systems (“ALKS”), a level 3 automated vehicle technology which allows the driver to be hands-free for a period of time. The main question of the consultation is how to legally define ALKS, specifically who will be liable in the event of an accident.… Read More Hands-Free Driving: Potentially Coming to UK Roadways by 2021

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