Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, AGENCY NEWS: FTC fall seminar series examines emerging consumer technology issues, (Apr 1, 2016)

By Michael Menzhuber, J.D., LL.M.

The FTC will host a series of seminars to examine three new and evolving technologies that are raising critical consumer protection issues. The FTC Fall Technology Series comprises three half-day events that will explore ransomware, drones, and smart TV.

Ransomware seminar. Noting the alarming frequency in which ransomware hackers are sneaking into consumer and business computers, encrypting files, and demanding a ransom in exchange for the key needed to decrypt the files, the ransomware seminar will address:

• how ransomware extortionists gain access to consumer and business computers;

• the role consumer and business education can play in preventing ransomware infections;

• steps that can be taken to reduce, or decrease the impact of ransomware;

• technological measures that computer operating system and web browser designers can take to prevent ransomware;

• the availability of browser plug-ins or other tools that will warn if data is about to be encrypted;

• what can be learned from criminal law enforcement’s efforts to combat ransomware;

• should ransomware victims pay the ransom?;

• the likelihood of receiving a decryption key if the ransom is paid; and

• whether there are consequences if the ransom isn’t paid.

The Ransomware seminar will be held on September 7 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Constitution Center, 400 7th St. SW, Washington, DC.

Drone seminar. Responding to the increased popularity of drones and the prospect of consumer harms from information collection by drones, the drone seminar will address:

• the uses and benefits of drones for consumers, as well as where drone technology is headed;

• unique privacy and security concerns associated with drone technologies and the data collected;

• how business, self-regulatory efforts, and foreign regulators are addressing these concerns; and

• whether there is a need for further guidance.

The Drone seminar will be held on October 13from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Constitution Center, 400 7th St. SW, Washington, DC.

Smart TV seminar. Noting that in 2016 virtually all television delivery systems (including smart TVs, streaming devices, game consoles, apps, and set-top boxes) track consumer’s viewing habits, the smart TV seminar will address:

• the role hardware manufacturers and software developers play in creating tracking technologies;

• what consumers understand about how their entertainment preferences are being tracked, disclosed, and used for various purposes;

• how entertainment preferences are being linked to individuals or to individuals’ device graphs;

• how the advertising industry is using this information; and

• best practices for addressing consumer privacy on entertainment systems.

The Smart TV seminar will be held on December 7 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Constitution Center, 400 7th St. SW, Washington, DC.

News: ConsumerProtection IndustryNewsTrends Privacy FederalTradeCommissionNews