Digital health technologies, including algorithms for use in health care, are being developed to aid healthcare providers and serve patients, from use with administrative tasks and workflow to diagnostic and decision support. The use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning algorithms in health care holds great promise, with the ability to help streamline care
IFPMA and EFPIA Publish New Joint Guidance Note on Social Media and Digital Channels
On 28 September 2022, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) published joint guidelines concerning the use of social media and digital media channels by pharmaceutical companies (Joint Digital Guidelines). IFPMA and EFPIA are umbrella trade bodies for the innovative pharmaceutical industry on the
August 2022 Developments Under President Biden’s Cybersecurity Executive Order
This is the sixteenth in a series of Covington blogs on implementation of Executive Order 14028, “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity,” issued by President Biden on May 12, 2021 (the “Cyber EO”). The first blog summarized the Cyber EO’s key provisions and timelines, and the subsequent blogs described the actions taken by various Government agencies to
Fifth Circuit Upholds Texas Law Restricting Online “Censorship”
On September 16, the Fifth Circuit issued its decision in NetChoice L.L.C. v. Paxton, upholding Texas HB 20, a law that limits the ability of large social media platforms to moderate content and imposes various disclosure and appeal requirements on them. The Fifth Circuit vacated the district court’s preliminary injunction, which previously blocked the
Mass Arbitration Procedures and Strategies Tested in Litigation
We previously wrote about the rising trend of mass arbitration and how companies and arbitration providers have responded to it thus far, including by adopting new rules and contract terms specifically geared towards coordinated proceedings. It may be tempting to impose strict controls on how mass arbitrations can proceed. But in considering their options, companies
GAO Sustains Pre-Award Protest and Finds Solicitation Terms to Be Ambiguous
As we have previously covered on this blog, challenges to the terms of a solicitation typically must be raised in a bid protest brought prior to proposal submission. The Government Accountability Office recently sustained such a pre-award protest in Selex ES, Inc., B-420799 (Sept. 6, 2022).
Nearing the Finish Line: Updates on the Digital Services Act
The Digital Services Act (“DSA”) is nearing final approval. The DSA imposes new rules on providers of intermediary services (e.g., cloud services, file-sharing services, search engines, social networks and online marketplaces). As we reported in July, the European Parliament voted to adopt the DSA on 5 July 2022. As we wait for the Council to
OMB Issues Memorandum on Self-Attestations by Software Developers of Secure Software Development Practices and Collection of Software Bill of Materials
On September 14, 2022, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) issued a memorandum to the heads of executive branch departments and agencies addressing the enhancement of security of the federal software supply chain. The memorandum applies to all software (other than agency-developed software) developed or experiencing major version changes to be
California Privacy Protection Agency Provides Update on CPRA Rulemaking
During its September 23, 2022 board meeting, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) provided an update on the status of the ongoing California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) rulemaking. Since the closure of the required 45-day comment period, the agency staff have been reviewing the written and oral comments submitted by the public. The agency will
OMB Issues Memorandum on Self-Attestations by Software Developers of Secure Software Development Practices and Collection of Software Bill of Materials
On September 14, 2022, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) issued a memorandum to the heads of executive branch departments and agencies addressing the enhancement of security of the federal software supply chain. The memorandum applies to all software (other than agency-developed software) developed or experiencing major version changes to be