April 24 2018

Kathryn Ossian Releases 2018 Edition of Practicing Law Institute’s Treatise “Social Media and the Law”

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In this time of online privacy concerns and digital hacking, there is a great need to understand and interpret best online practices through a legal lens. To this end, the 2018 Edition of Practicing Law Institute’s treatise “Social Media and the Law”, by Kathryn Ossian, Founder and CEO of Ossian Law, is now available. This publication was first released in 2013, and is updated annually to reflect changes in the legal implications of social media usage for individuals and businesses. Some of the recent developments in “Social Media and the Law” include:

June 5 2017

States Consider New Privacy, Security Laws

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Ossian Law While administrative changes within federal agencies have raised uncertainty over enforcement of privacy and security initiatives, many state governments are looking at establishing new rules and laws directed at protecting individual privacy and enhancing online security.More

May 1 2017

Interactive Mobile Apps and Wiretap Laws

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Mobile apps are increasingly designed with features and functions promoting interaction with users, including voice commands. Could the design of an app to capture and transmit user communications and other information violate federal wiretap laws?

An amended class action complaint filed in federal court in California against the Golden State Warriors and the team’s app designers poses that question. In 2014, the Warriors organization apparently updated its mobile app to include beacons to track consumers and how they interact with marketing and advertising. The amended complaint further alleges that, when the app is installed on a user’s smartphone, it monitored and recorded all communications, including the users’ conversations.More

April 4 2017

FCC Internet Privacy Rules Repealed

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Last fall, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted historic rules to require broadband Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to protect certain sensitive customer information, including web browser history, app usage history and specific geolocation information.

Under the rules, ISPs would have been allowed to share less sensitive information, like email addresses, unless the consumer opts out. The rules would also have required a consumer’s affirmative “opt-in” before an ISP could share the most sensitive information.More

November 1 2016

AI: Balancing Innovation with Consumer Protection

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Artificial intelligence, or AI, is broadly defined as a computerized system that can either think or act like a rational human. Examples of AI in action include Amazon.com’s personal assistant “Echo” and Uber’s autonomous cars. While the genesis of AI goes back over 70 years, recent technological advances and thousands of new and potential applications have brought AI to the forefront.

The goal of encouraging innovations in AI must be balanced with privacy concerns about what data is collected and how it may be used. During machine learning (one form of AI), the lack of human interaction may result in data subjects not receiving any disclosures about specific use, or even the very collection, of that data.More

November 1 2016

Contracts: A Focus on Security and Related Clauses

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Date: 11/09/2016 Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Location: Ossian Law P.C., 701 Woodward Heights, Suite 117, Ferndale MI 48820

In case you missed it at SecureWorld, here’s your chance to catch it. Security and privacy are major considerations when entering into technology agreements. Managing risks is key. IT Attorney Kathy Ossian will discuss security and related clauses in common technology agreements from both the tech provider and user perspectives. Includes heavy hors d’oeuvres. Complimentary admission. Space is limited so register here today!

Questions? Contact Kathy Ossian at (313) 575-7234 or at kathy@ossianlaw.com

October 3 2016

Ossian Law Updates on Data Breach Costs

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Kaspersky Labs has issued its annual report on “Measuring the Financial Impact of IT Security on Businesses” after surveying more than 4,000 business representatives from 25 different countries. Some key findings of the report:

The cost of a single security incident for small to medium businesses averages over $86,000 and for large businesses over $860.000
In the past twelve months, thirty-eight percent of the businesses surveyed had experienced a virus or malware incident causing lost productivity
Thirty-six percent of responding businesses had experienced inappropriate use of IT resources by employees in the past year
The bulk of the cost for responding to a security incident comes in the form of additional internal staff wages, followed by lost business (for small to medium businesses) and damage to credit rating or increased insurance premiums (for large businesses)
The longer the business takes to react and respond to a security incident, the greater the financial impact will be.

See an executive summary and obtain a copy of the report here. Contact us at Ossian Law regarding any information technology law question.

Check out videos on Ossian Law P.C.’s YouTube Channel here

September 6 2016

Millions of Blocked Text Messages or “Spamageddon”?

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Ossian Law In recent years, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been considering what direction to take regarding mobile messaging. In August, the FCC held hearings where mobile companies and industry associations offered comments on the proposed regulations of mobile messaging. By way of example, comments filed by mobile messaging leader Twilio claim that, under the current environment of the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), tens of millions of text messages have been blocked by carriers. Twilio has urged the FCC to ease this negative impact by relaxing federal regulations.

On the flip side, the Wireless Association has taken the position that easing regulations could lead to a virtual “Spamageddon” of consumers receiving unwanted text messages. Stay tuned for the direction the FCC ultimately decides to take.

Access an earlier Twilio filing with the FCC discussing text message blocking here. Contact us at Ossian Law regarding any information technology law question.

Check out videos on Ossian Law P.C.’s YouTube Channel here!

August 23 2016

Kathy Ossian Named in “Best Lawyers in America” for 2016

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Kathy Ossian, founder and CEO of Ferndale’s Ossian Law P.C. has been selected as one of the Best Lawyers in America in the practice area of Information Technology Law. The Best Lawyers titles were given based on a peer-review survey of attorneys in Metro Detroit.

Along with practicing law, Ossian is a speaker, educator and editor of the PLI publication, “Social Media and the Law”. Ossian Law P.C. is an information technology law practice, based in Ferndale, Michigan.