Privacy Tip #299 – Creepy SpyFone Banned by FTC
In a second case against stalkerware apps and the first where the FTC has banned a company from doing business, the FTC announced on September 1, 2021, that it has “banned...
FTC Takes Aristotle International Off the COPPA Safe Harbor List
In an unusual but significant move, on August 4, 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) removed Aristotle International from the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Safe Harbor List. There were...
Smart Toys and How they May be Invading our Privacy
While smart toys can be useful educational tools for children, they also present some potential privacy risks and could invade what is traditionally considered a private space. Think about it—the thought...
Privacy Tip #288 – Scammers Take Advantage of Shortage of Rental Cars
Another post pandemic fallout is the fact that rental car agencies have sold their fleets, for obvious reasons. In doing so, there aren’t enough rental cars for all of us who...
Privacy Tip #285 – FTC Warns of Increase in Illegal Auto Warranty Robocalls
Robocalls continue to be irritating and their increased frequency is distracting and exhausting, at least in my experience. We can usually spot them when our caller ID says “potential spam” or...
Privacy Tip #277 – Beware of Vaccine Surveys
Criminals use current events to launch new schemes designed to prey on victims’ vulnerabilities or fears. Throughout the pandemic, criminals have used fear of COVID-19, or the anticipation of a cure...
Privacy Tip #276 – Free Weekly Credit Reports Offered by Credit Reporting Agencies
The best way to find out if you have been the victim of identity theft and to determine what accounts may have been opened in your name by criminals is to...
New Federal Privacy Bill Introduced – Could 2021 Be the Year?
Bloomberg reported this week that the first comprehensive federal privacy bill of the year was introduced by Representative Suzan DelBene (D-Washington). The bill is known as the Information Transparency and Personal...
Privacy Tip #274 – COVID Vaccine Scams Rampant
The news is full of stories about crashing vaccination scheduling websites, seniors who are unable to get their vaccine appointment, and how different states are rolling out their limited supplies of...
Privacy Tip #269 – COVID-19 Vaccine Scams are Rampant
Those of us who are not health care workers, essential workers or the highest-priority cohort in our state to receive the COVID-19 vaccine are patiently awaiting our turn. We are anxious...