New York Attorney General Publishes Guide to Avoid “Key Mistakes” Regarding Online Tracking Technologies

On July 30, 2024, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced website privacy guides for New York consumers and businesses. The guides, a business-focused Business Guide to Website Privacy Controls and a consumer-focused Consumer Guide to Tracking on the Web, are available on the Office of the New York State Attorney General’s (the “OAG’s”) website. The Business Guide to Website Privacy Controls is instructive for businesses operating websites available in the state. The OAG’s announcement is made amid increasing regulatory scrutiny, including by the FTC, as well as increased litigation centered on the use of online tracking technologies.

(more…)

A New Wave of Class Actions: The Genetic Information Privacy Act

Largely dormant for the last 25 years, Illinois’ Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) has been sharing the limelight recently with its sibling, the Biometric Information Privacy Act. (BIPA). GIPA includes a number of restrictions related to the use and disclosure of genetic testing and genetic information, and it provides a private right of action and permits recovery of steep statutory damages. In 2023 alone, over 50 GIPA complaints were filed, and new suits continue to be filed in 2024. In this article, published on AML Law.com, Sidley lawyers Kathleen Carlson, Lawrence Fogel, and Colleen Brown explore some of GIPA’s emerging issues and unanswered questions.

(more…)

Regulatory Update: National Association of Insurance Commissioners Spring 2024 National Meeting

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) held its Spring 2024 National Meeting (Spring Meeting) March 15 through 18, 2024. This Sidley Update summarizes the highlights from this meeting in addition to interim meetings held in lieu of taking place during the Spring Meeting. Highlights include proposed updates to the regulatory review process for affiliated investment management agreements, continued discussion of considerations related to private equity ownership of insurers, and continued development of accounting principles and investment limitations related to certain types of bonds and structured securities.

(more…)

New Hampshire’s Comprehensive Data Privacy Legislation

As the state boasting the headquarters of the International Association of Privacy Professionals, many have been watching the development of the New Hampshire comprehensive consumer data privacy law with great interest, wondering if it may be a practical model for the nation. On March 6, 2024, Governor Chris Sununu signed SB 255-FN (“the Act”) into law. In some respects, New Hampshire’s privacy law is comparatively more moderate than some other state laws. For instance, the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s rulemaking authority under the Act is currently limited to establishing requirements for privacy notices. This narrow extension of rulemaking authority is a divergence from the broad rulemaking authority granted by California, Colorado, and other states. The New Hampshire law does not allow for a private right of action. There is a right to cure alleged violations through the first year the law is in force; afterwards, the opportunity to cure is left to the Attorney General’s discretion. The legislation will take effect on January 1, 2025.

(more…)

Regulatory Update: National Association of Insurance Commissioners Fall 2023 National Meeting

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) held its Fall 2023 National Meeting (Fall Meeting) from November 30 through December 4, 2023. This Sidley Update summarizes the highlights from this meeting in addition to interim meetings held in lieu of taking place during the Fall Meeting. Highlights include adoption of a new model bulletin addressing the use of artificial intelligence in the insurance industry, continued development of accounting principles and investment limitations related to certain types of bonds and structured securities, and continued discussion of considerations related to private equity ownership of insurers.

(more…)