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Lindsey Tonsager

Lindsey Tonsager co-chairs the firm’s global Data Privacy and Cybersecurity practice. She advises clients in their strategic and proactive engagement with the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Congress, the California Privacy Protection Agency, and state attorneys general on proposed changes to data protection laws, and regularly represents clients in responding to investigations and enforcement actions involving their privacy and information security practices.

Lindsey’s practice focuses on helping clients launch new products and services that implicate the laws governing the use of artificial intelligence, data processing for connected devices, biometrics, online advertising, endorsements and testimonials in advertising and social media, the collection of personal information from children and students online, e-mail marketing, disclosures of video viewing information, and new technologies.

Lindsey also assesses privacy and data security risks in complex corporate transactions where personal data is a critical asset or data processing risks are otherwise material. In light of a dynamic regulatory environment where new state, federal, and international data protection laws are always on the horizon and enforcement priorities are shifting, she focuses on designing risk-based, global privacy programs for clients that can keep pace with evolving legal requirements and efficiently leverage the clients’ existing privacy policies and practices. She conducts data protection assessments to benchmark against legal requirements and industry trends and proposes practical risk mitigation measures.

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Ahead of its December 8 board meeting, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) has issued draft risk assessment regulations.  The CPPA has yet to initiate the formal rulemaking process and has stated that it expects to begin formal rulemaking next year, at which time it will also consider draft regulations covering “automated decisionmaking technology” (ADMT), cybersecurity audits, and revisions to existing regulations.  Accordingly, the draft risk assessment regulations are subject to change.  Below are the key takeaways:…

Continue Reading CPPA Releases Draft Risk Assessment Regulations

Ahead of its December 8 board meeting, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) has issued draft “automated decisionmaking technology” (ADMT) regulations.  The CPPA has yet to initiate the formal rulemaking process and has stated that it expects to begin formal rulemaking next year.  Accordingly, the draft ADMT regulations are subject to change.  Below are the key takeaways:…

Continue Reading CPPA Releases Draft Automated Decisionmaking Technology Regulations

On October 3, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) released a blog post titled Consumers Are Voicing Concerns About AI, which discusses consumer concerns that the FTC received via its Consumer Sentinel Network concerning artificial intelligence (“AI”) and priority areas the agency is watching.  Although the FTC’s blog post acknowledged that it did not investigate…

Ahead of its September 8 board meeting, the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) has issued draft regulations on cybersecurity audits and risk assessments.  Public comments will be requested once the formal rulemaking process is kicked off.  Accordingly, the draft regulations are subject to change.  Below are the key takeaways:

Cybersecurity Audits

  • New cybersecurity audit
…

In the past year, plaintiffs have filed a wave of lawsuits asserting claims under the Video Privacy Protection Act (“VPPA”) in connection with the alleged use of third-party pixels on websites that offer video content.  A recent decision establishes the limits of the VPPA’s reach and provides a well-reasoned ground for future motions to dismiss.…

On June 30, 2023, a Superior Court of California (County of Sacramento, case number 34-2023-80004106-CU-WM-GDS) held that enforcement of the California Privacy Protection Agency’s (“CPPA”) regulations cannot commence until one year after the finalized date of the regulations.  However, the court declined to delay the CPPA’s ability to enforce violations of the underlying ballot initiative.…

On June 30, 2023, the Delaware general assembly passed the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act (“DPDPA”), H.B. 154.  This bill resembles the comprehensive privacy statutes in Connecticut, Montana, and the recently passed bill in Oregon, though there are some notable distinctions.  If signed into law, Delaware will be the latest state to implement…

On June 22, 2023, the Oregon state legislature passed the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act, S.B. 619 (the “Act”).  This bill resembles the comprehensive privacy statutes in Colorado, Montana, and Connecticut, though there are some notable distinctions.  If passed, Oregon will be the twelfth state to implement a comprehensive privacy statute, joining California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut…

On May 22 the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a $6 million settlement with Edmodo, an ed tech provider, for violations of the COPPA Rule and Section 5 of the FTC Act.  The FTC described this settlement as the first FTC order that will prohibit an ed tech provider from requiring students to provide more personal data than necessary to participate in online activities.  The settlement is consistent with the FTC’s policy statement on ed tech issued last May (see our summary of the policy statement here).…

Continue Reading FTC Announces COPPA Settlement Against Ed Tech Provider Including Strict Data Minimization and Data Retention Requirements