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Last Friday, the Federal Trade Commission released a report, Paper, Plastic…or Mobile?, on the use of mobile payments.  The report follows a workshop hosted by the FTC in April 2012 that explored innovative mobile payment products and services, the potential benefits offered by mobile payments, and the concerns they raise.  For purposes of the report, mobile payments generally include four types of payment processes:  (1) near field communication (NFC) technologies, (2) mobile applications, (3) online checkout wallets, and (4) mobile carrier billing (charging of payments directly to a mobile phone bill).

The report focuses on the primary areas where the increasing use of mobile payments raises concerns, including dispute resolution, data security, and privacy.  The report also highlights special concerns regarding mobile carrier billing and international mobile payments.…

Continue Reading FTC Issues Report on Mobile Payments

Mobile device manufacturer HTC America has settled Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) charges that the company failed to take reasonable steps to secure the software it developed for its smartphones and tablet computers, introducing security flaws that placed sensitive information about millions of consumers at risk.  The settlement requires HTC America to develop and release software…

On Friday, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) released a discussion draft of a bill for mobile privacy. Named the Application Privacy, Protection and Security Act of 2013 (“APPS Act”), the bill would obligate app developers to disclose to users the terms and conditions around the collection, use, storage, and sharing of user data. Additionally, the bill would require apps to allow users to opt out of the service and delete personal data collected by the app. The Federal Trade Commission would head enforcement and state attorneys general could bring suits against those who violate the regulations promulgated by the FTC.

 In drafting the bill, Johnson and his Web-based initiative, AppRights, held meetings with members of the Internet community, public-interest groups, app developers, and other industry stakeholders. AppRights stated: “Over the coming days, we will release helpful clarifications of the updated provisions of the APPS Act so that everyone is on the same page.” It is not yet clear when the bill will be introduced to Congress as possible legislation.…

Continue Reading Rep. Johnson Releases Discussion Draft of Mobile App Privacy Bill Following NTIA’s 8th Meeting Concerning a Voluntary Code of Conduct

Last week, the Federal Trade Commission entered into a consent order with two companies alleged to have operated as consumer reporting agencies, by providing criminal record reports through mobile applications, without complying with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).  The consent order represents the FTC’s first FCRA case involving mobile applications. 

According to the FTC’s …

Politico is reporting that California Attorney General Kamala Harris will release a report containing privacy recommendations for key players in the mobile app ecosystem (including developers, advertisers, and others).  The report could be released as early as this week. 

As we have noted elsewhere, Harris has made mobile privacy a key priority for her…

The Federal Communications Commission yesterday released a Smartphone Security Checker, a tool designed to help consumers secure their smartphones against mobile security threats.  The tool provides consumers with tips that are customized for four different mobile operating systems.  Many of tips focus on security-related topics.  For instance, the tool recommends that consumers set a…