Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm Insights

Top Five Privacy Issues NJ Businesses Should Monitor in 2014

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Date: January 30, 2014

Key Contacts

Back

Cyber security, smartphone applications, and social media will likely top the priority list of tech issues that businesses intend to focus on in 2014.  Privacy and data protection remain the undercurrent of those issues. Here are some key issues businesses should be monitoring in the context of those priorities:

  • Cyber security: Target’s high-profile data breach is just one example of the cybersecurity threats faced by businesses of all sizes. Recent studies suggest that cyberattacks against U.S. businesses have increased nearly 50 percent in the past few years. To make sure companies have the proper procedures in place, Congress is currently considering the Personal Data Privacy and Security Act, which includes measures companies must take to protect sensitive customer data as well as methods by which businesses must notify customers when breaches occur.
  • Social media: Employers will continue to face legal concerns regarding the privacy of social media accounts. In New Jersey, a new social media law took effect recently that prohibits employers from requiring applicants and employees to disclose their personal passwords. New Jersey courts are currently addressing other issues, including the ownership of business-related social media accounts and the ability to discipline employees who disparage employers online.
  • Data collection: Thanks to mobile and Internet technology, businesses can collect a wide variety of information about customers, ranging from where they live to what they buy. However, these new tools come with security and privacy risks and legal obligations. The “Internet of Things,” which refers to the interconnectivity of personal devices like your cell phone, television, or thermostat, is also gaining the attention of regulators and lawmakers. Businesses who offer products and services in this industry should be aware that they might soon face additional compliance obligations.
  • FTC regulation: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is tasked with policing unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act, has been increasingly turning its enforcement attention to privacy-related issues. Two ongoing lawsuits, including one pending in New Jersey, challenge whether the regulator has exceeded its authority over data security policies and subsequent breaches. However, even if these suits were to  successfully curb the FTC’s reach, Congress may act by passing legislation that explicitly expands the power of the FTC to increase its jurisdiction over data security and privacy.
  • Drones: While Amazon’s plan to use drones to deliver packages likely may be years away from fruition, research on commercial drone use is underway here in New Jersey. Rutgers University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute are partnering to study failure modes and technical risks for drones. In Washington, lawmakers have already expressed concern about using the unmanned aircraft for commercial use. At a recent hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, the task of balancing privacy interests with innovation was the top concern. Businesses should expect additional debate on this issue and, ultimately, federal regulations.

Effective, updated written data security policies and procedures are essential for businesses of all sizes. For additional information, we encourage you to check out our prior Scarinci Hollenbeck Business Law posts and visit companion blog, eWhite House Watch.

If you have any questions about this post or would like to discuss your company’s cybersecurity and data protection strategies, please contact me or the Scarinci Hollenbeck attorney with whom you work. 

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Related Posts

See all
Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress post image

Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress

The Trump Administration’s new tariffs are having an oversized impact on small businesses, which already tend to operate on razor thin margins. Many businesses have been forced to raise prices, find new suppliers, lay off staff, and delay growth plans. For businesses facing even more dire financial circumstances, there are additional tariff response options, including […]

Author: Brian D. Spector

Link to post with title - "Tariff Response Options for Small Businesses Facing Financial Distress"
Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them post image

Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them

Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]

Author: Christopher D. Warren

Link to post with title - "Common Causes of Partnership Disputes and How to Resolve Them"
President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox post image

President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox

On January 28, 2025, the Trump Administration terminated Gwynne Wilcox from her position as a Member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board). Gwynne Wilcox, a union side lawyer for Levy Ratner, was confirmed to the Board for an original term in 2021 and confirmed again for a successive five-year term expiring […]

Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh

Link to post with title - "President Trump's Termination of Member Gwynne Wilcox"
How to Dissolve a Corporation in New Jersey: A Step-by-Step Guide post image

How to Dissolve a Corporation in New Jersey: A Step-by-Step Guide

Closing your business can be a difficult and challenging task. For corporations, the process includes formal approval of the dissolution, winding up operations, resolving tax liabilities, and filing all required paperwork. Whether you need to understand how to dissolve a corporation in New York or New Jersey, it’s imperative to take all of the proper […]

Author: Christopher D. Warren

Link to post with title - "How to Dissolve a Corporation in New Jersey: A Step-by-Step Guide"

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!

Explore What Matters Most to You.

Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.

Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.

Let`s get in touch!

* The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!