Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, PRIVACY NEWS: FTC to study security updates practices of mobile device industry, (May 9, 2016)
Organizations Mentioned:Apple | Apple, Inc. | Blackberry Corp. | Google, Inc. | HTC America, Inc. | LG Electronics USA, Inc. | Microsoft Corp. | Motorola Mobility, LLC | Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
By Linda O’Brien, J.D., LL.M.
In order to gain a better understanding of security in the mobile industry, the FTC has issued orders to eight mobile device manufacturers that require them to provide information about how they issue security updates to address vulnerabilities in smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, according to the Commission’s announcement today.
The eight companies that received the FTC’s order to file a special report were: Apple, Inc.; Blackberry Corp.; Google, Inc.; HTC America, Inc.; LG Electronics USA, Inc.; Microsoft Corp.; Motorola Mobility, LLC; and Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Under the orders, recipients must provide the following information: (1) the factors that they consider in deciding whether to patch a vulnerability on a particular mobile device; (2) detailed data on the specific mobile devices they have offered for sale to consumers since August 2013; (3) the vulnerabilities that have affected those devices; and (4) whether and when the company patched such vulnerabilities.
The orders are part of the FTC’s ongoing efforts to understand the security of consumers’ mobile devices. The Federal Communications Commission is conducting a separate, parallel inquiry into common carriers’ policies regarding mobile device security updates.
Companies: Apple, Inc.; Blackberry Corp.; Google, Inc.; HTC America, Inc.; LG Electronics USA, Inc.; Microsoft Corp.; Motorola Mobility, LLC; Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
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