In 2012, California took significant steps to increase privacy protections for users of mobile applications (apps) which involved working with companies such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Hewlett-Packard, and Microsoft. In July 2012, the Attorney General created the Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit, with the mission of protecting the inalienable right to privacy conferred by the
Workplace Privacy
Start 2013 On The Right Foot – Assess Your Organization’s Information Risk
The $50,000 in penalties that the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently imposed on a health care provider in Idaho was due in part to allegations that the HIPAA covered entity had not conducted a risk assessment as required under the HIPAA privacy and security regulations. Of course, HIPAA is not the only law that requires a risk…
Bans on Employers Requesting Social Media Passwords Continue as New Year Approaches
Michigan becomes fourth state to enact law banning employers from requiring access to employees’/applicants’ social media accounts…
Continue Reading Bans on Employers Requesting Social Media Passwords Continue as New Year Approaches
California Employees Get New Rights to Personnel Records Beginning in 2013
California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law (AB 2674) new requirements specifying when and how employers must respond to their employees’ requests for inspection and copying of their personnel files. The new requirements become effective January 1, 2013.
California Becomes Third State to Limit Access to Employees and Students’ Social Media Accounts
By Joseph J. Lazzarotti on
Posted in Featured, Workplace Privacy
And then there were three… Last week, California Governor Jerry Brown made his state the third in the union, following Maryland and Illinois, to limit access to employees and students’ social media accounts…
Continue Reading California Becomes Third State to Limit Access to Employees and Students’ Social Media Accounts
Connecticut AG Makes Email Address Available to Companies to Report Data Breaches
Connecticut AG prepares for amendments to Connecticut’s data breach law going into effect on Oct. 1, 2012.
Continue Reading Connecticut AG Makes Email Address Available to Companies to Report Data Breaches
California Bill to Prohibit Employers from Requiring Social Media Passwords (AB 1844) Heads to Governor Brown
By Joseph J. Lazzarotti on
California moves one step closer to becoming third state to significantly limit when employers could ask employees and job applicants for social media passwords and account information…
Continue Reading California Bill to Prohibit Employers from Requiring Social Media Passwords (AB 1844) Heads to Governor Brown
Workplace Defamation Claims on the Rise
By Jackson Lewis P.C. on
Posted in Workplace Privacy
One of the consequences faced by companies that neglect workplace privacy issues is the possibility of a defamation lawsuit. Human resources departments should be careful to limit information about employees and former employees, including the reasons for a termination or leave of absence, to those with a need to know. References and requests for references should be treated carefully lest…
Illinois Becomes Second State to Prohibit Employers from Demanding Social Media Passwords
By Joseph J. Lazzarotti on
Illinois becomes second state to prohibit employers from demanding social media passwords from employees and applicants…
Continue Reading Illinois Becomes Second State to Prohibit Employers from Demanding Social Media Passwords
Vermont Becomes Eighth State to Limit Access and Use By Employers of Credit Information
By Joseph J. Lazzarotti on
Posted in Information Management, Workplace Privacy
Effective July 1, 2012, Vermont joins California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, and Washington as jurisdictions that restrict an employer’s right to obtain and use credit information for making employment decisions. Similar legislation is pending in many other jurisdictions. Click here for more information about the Vermont law.