Balough
March 10, 2022
(March 9, 2022) The box uses the word “strawberry” with a picture of half a strawberry and a Pop-Tart oozing red filing. However, no reasonable consumer could conclude that the filling contains a certain amount of strawberries, a U.S. District Court judge ruled. As a result, the package is not deceptive. A consumer filed […]
Balough
March 8, 2022
(March 8, 2022) The U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (“CISA”) recommends that all organizations and individuals adopt heightened cybersecurity even though there are no specific cyber threats to the United States because of the Russia invasion of Ukraine. The CISA said organizations should plan for a “worst-case scenario.” The planning should include taking measures […]
Balough
February 11, 2022
(February 11, 2022) Maybe it’s due to pandemic isolation or just people looking for love in all the wrong places, but online romance scams skyrocketed in 2021, the Federal Trade Commission reported. In an FTC Data Spotlight just in time for Valentine’s Day, the agency said online scammers bilked consumers for over $547 million in […]
Balough
February 1, 2022
(February 1, 2022) Those ubiquitous QR codes are a quick and easy way to get to a website, see a paperless menu at a restaurant, or get to a payment site. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, QR codes are also a quick way to get scammed or have malware loaded on your phone. […]
Balough
January 19, 2022
(January 19, 2022) Illinois is the first state limiting law enforcement’s ability to collect household electronic data from doorbell cameras, security cameras, smart appliances, and virtual assistants through a third party. The Protecting Household Privacy Act (“PHPA”), effective January 1, 2022, marks the second time that Illinois has taken the lead in protecting privacy and […]
Balough
October 8, 2021
(October 8, 2021) New statutory restrictions on the use of covenants not-to-compete and non-solicitation provisions in Illinois employment contracts will become effective starting on January 1, 2022. The law codifies court rulings that restricted the use of non-compete agreements and offers specific criteria for their use. The law also sets limits on the use of non-solicitation […]
Balough
September 13, 2021
(September 13, 2021) The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) cyber division has issued a Private Industry Notification warning of ransomware attacks targeting food and agriculture businesses. The FBI notification said the food sector “is among the critical infrastructure sectors increasingly targeted by cyber attacks,” noting that, as the sector moves more toward smart technologies and […]
Balough
June 6, 2021
(June 6, 2021) Thanks to a cop running a private license plate check for money, employers and others may need to rethink how they grant access to their computer databases and how files are kept in the databases. In a split decision, the Supreme Court said the cop did not violate the Computer Fraud and […]
Balough
May 27, 2021
(May 27, 2021) The Communications Decency Act (“CDA”) does not give Snapchat immunity from a lawsuit claiming the social media provider designed a smartphone application that encouraged three boys to drive at dangerous speeds when they believed they could earn rewards based on their speed, the Ninth Circuit found. The lawsuit by parents of two […]
Balough
May 5, 2021
(May 5, 2021) You may be relieved to learn about the latest app for your Zoom calls. Charmin, yes, Charmin, has introduced its prototype “BRB Bot.” The company says the app will keep you logged in by creating a digital twin that swaps your live video feed with an AI-powered version of yourself. The purpose […]
