The Campaign Finance Institute has just released an analysis of national political party fundraising so far this election cycle. The report concludes that the national parties are “holding their own” and refers to “the parties’ hard money success since 2002.” This appears to be a revisionist attempt to demonstrate that the McCain-Feingold law (formally the
July 2012
Privacy by Design for smart meters
By Nigel Howard
As states are initiating docket proceedings related to smart meter privacy and passing privacy protection legislation to regulate utility providers utilizing smart meters, it is interesting to note how one utility provider has taken steps towards protecting consumer privacy. San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is a utility provider based in southern California. California has…
Congressmen Seek Information from Leading “Data Brokers”
Last week, a group of eight House members sent letters to nine “major data brokerage companies,” seeking detailed information about “the business of data brokerage,” which the Congressmen described as “the collecting, assembling, maintaining and selling to third-parties of consumers’ personal information.” The letter appears to have been spurred by a June 16…
Study Finds Top Mobile Apps More Transparent About Privacy Practices
According to a recent study released by the Future of Privacy Forum (FPF), the number of mobile apps with privacy policies has grown rapidly since September 2011. The study examined the top 25 free and 25 paid apps in the Apple iOS, Google Play, and Kindle Fire app stores, for a total of 150 apps. Of the apps reviewed, the study found…
Disclosure Rules for Electioneering Communications — the FEC Provides Guidance
Today, the FEC issued a formal statement on the impact of the D.C. District Court’s decision this spring in Van Hollen v. FEC. The conclusion — the disclosure regulations are to be applied as originally written, and the agency will employ common sense definitions of several terms.
As a result of the court…
European Data Protection Supervisor Issues Opinion on Children’s Privacy
The European Data Protection Supervisor (“EDPS”) has issued an opinion on Europe’s strategy for protecting children on the Internet. The European Commission consults with the EDPS on a variety of data protection issues. However, the opinions of the EDPS are not legally binding.
Among other things, the EDPS expressed support for:
- The implementation of technical tools, such as
…
Google Contacts ICO Stating That It Still Holds Some Street View Payload Data
By Mark Young
In a surprise turn of events, Google has written today to the UK data protection authority (the “ICO”) and other regulators around the world stating that it still possesses some of the payload data collected by its Street View vehicles in 2010. This follows the ICO re-opening its probe into Google’s Street View activity last…
Senate Scheduled To Consider Cybersecurity Legislation
Yesterday, the Senate voted to move forward with a floor debate of the Cybersecurity Act of 2012 (“CSA2012”) (S. 3414), and the White House formally endorsed CSA2012, saying it will strengthen efforts to secure American networks against cyberattacks. As a result of yesterday’s procedural vote, the Senate is likely to consider the current version…
Contribution Limit Dominoes Continue to Fall for State Super PACs
Yesterday, the Vermont Attorney General announced that it would not enforce the state’s $2,000 statutory contribution limit against independent expenditure PACs. This policy change in practice allows Super PACs to raise unlimited funds for independent expenditure operations in Vermont. Notably, the law will remain on the books and will be applied unless the PAC demonstrates…
New FEC Advisory Opinion Request: A Window into the Next Generation of Fundraising?
Does a recent Federal Election Commission (FEC) advisory opinion request point to the next generation of fundraising structure for campaigns, political committees, and issue advocacy groups? We have already seen Super PACs join together to take advantage of the joint fundraising committee (JFC) structure. Now, American Future Fund (AFF) and American Future Fund Political Action…