Ossian Law P.C.

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

Millions of Blocked Text Messages or “Spamageddon”?

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Ossian LawIn 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.

 

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

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Ossian Law

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.

 

Drones and the Law

Ossian LawThe use of small, unmanned aircraft, or drones, by businesses and individuals is ever-increasing. As of December 21, 2015, all drones are required to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Operators of unregistered drones could face criminal and civil penalties.More

EU Data Transfers: No More Safe Harbor

Ossian LawFor more than a decade, some 4,500 U.S.-based companies have self-certified compliance with the European Union’s data privacy directive via the U.S. Department of Commerce “safe harbor” program. On October 6, the European Union Court of Justice struck down the safe harbor program. The full implications of this decision on companies that transfer personal data of E.U. citizens into the U.S. remain to be seen. Unresolved questions include:More

Ossian Law IT Law Alert September 1, 2015: New State Privacy Laws

Ossian LawIn August, Maine and Delaware became the 22nd and 23rd states, respectively, to enact laws that prohibit employers from requiring employees and applicants to disclose or provide access to personal social media accounts.

In addition to The Employee/Applicant Protection for Social Media Act (EPSMA) which takes immediate effect, Delaware adopted three other laws relating to Internet privacy. More

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