Calfee Connections

Website privacy policies have become a standard part of doing business online, and website visitors these days likely expect one. While there is no general federal law requiring a privacy policy (though many states are passing legislation that may require one, and some businesses have privacy requirements through various data-specific federal statutes such as HIPAA, Gramm-Leach Bliley, etc.), it is generally good practice to have such a policy, especially if your business gathers contact information or other sensitive personal data (like credit card information).

Every year in the peak of winter, football fans and non-football fans alike unite to sit around, eat chips and dip, and watch “The Big Game” (and the commercials). You may be puzzled at the vague and mysterious mentions of “The Big Game” that carefully avoid reference to the name everyone knows – “The Super Bowl.” That’s because the NFL owns the trademark rights to SUPER BOWL and is extremely aggressive in enforcing such rights.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) estimates some $590 million in ransomware payments were reportedly made from January to June 2021. Moreover, hackers are now blatant enough to brand their undertakings as “Ransomware as a Service,” and some reportedly “feel completely safe” from prosecution against their illegal activities in countries such as China.

What are these data breaches and ransomware attacks, and what can you do to help protect your company?