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Security, Privacy and the Law

Security and privacy issues encountered by businesses often require immediate and discreet solutions. We cover topics that arise from guiding our clients through the process of complying with the ever-growing number of state, federal and international laws governing information security, identity theft, surveillance and other privacy issues.

Security, Privacy and the Law
Robotics and Health Information - Privacy and Security Issues You Need to Know
Blog March 05, 2026
On March 5, 2026, Colin Zick presented to the MassRobotics Healthcare Catalyst Program on the topic, "Robotics and Health Information: Navigating Clinical Deployments in Light of Current Trends in Health Information Privacy and Security."…
Does Accidental Listening by Smart Speakers Raise Compliance Concerns?
Blog February 21, 2020
That sixth sense you have that someone is listening could it be your smart speaker?  Theres a chance the answer is yes, even when you dont ask it to.  A new study from Northeastern University finds that smart speakers often accidentally activate and record conversations, although just how often (sometimes as often as 19 times a day) and for how long (sometimes recording for 43 seconds) depends on the device…
Cybersecurity 2018  The Year in Preview:  Emerging Security Threats
Blog November 13, 2017
Editors' Note:  This is the second of a multi-part end-of-year series examining important trends in data privacy and cybersecurity during the coming year. Click here for our previous entry on HIPAA Compliance.  Up next:  trends in federal enforcement. After one of Britain's first victories in the Second World War, Winston Churchill declared that it was “perhaps, the end of the beginning” – a turning point in the war…
FTC Updates COPPA Guidance for Businesses
Blog June 22, 2017
On June 21, 2017, the FTC updated its COPPA Compliance Guidance for businesses. The new guidance includes new descriptions of services and products covered by COPPA, and new methods for obtaining parental consent. Though the guidance is new, the subjects of the guidance generally are not; for example, “internet-enabled location-based services” have long been within the ambit of COPPA because geolocation information has long been part of the definition of “personal information” of children……
Cybersecurity, A-Z:  D is for Drones
Blog May 26, 2017
Unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, as theyre commonly called, touch on numerous hot-button cybersecurity issues.  As devices connected to networks, they are important when considering the internet of things.  As used by the government, they present surveillance concerns.  Over the past decade, they have been increasingly used for military operations although civilian drones now far outnumber military drones.  (The FAA has estimated that by 2020…

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The Foley Hoag Security, Privacy and the Law Blog focuses on the security and privacy issues encountered by businesses that often require immediate and discreet solutions. Here we cover topics that arise from guiding our clients through the process of complying with the ever-growing number of state, federal and international laws governing information security, identity theft, surveillance and other privacy issues.

Our lawyers assist clients with questions on how to legally and ethically investigate abusive e-mail, take down infringing Web sites, maintain surveillance of company facilities and information systems, and remediate breaches of security. We work with clients to ensure the legality and success of existing security policies and protocols and help them develop new programs when necessary. Our lawyers have managed unexpected crises ranging from surprise inspections by government investigators to obtaining emergency court orders needed to secure stolen company computers from rogue insiders.

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