: Abstract This Article explores Founding-era views about the grounding of constitutional rights and how those rights obtained determinate legal content. Today, we typically view... The post Determining Rights appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: The fundamental right to expressive association first emerged in NAACP v. Alabama ex rel. Patterson, a case that shielded a civil rights organization from... The post CompassCare v. Hochul appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: It has become increasingly difficult for civil rights plaintiffs to vindicate their rights in federal court. Barriers to successful lawsuits are plentiful. Qualified immunity... The post Without Remedies: The Effect of Cummings and the Contract Law Analogy on Antidiscrimination Spending Clause Plaintiffs appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: Teaching constitutional law today has been impacted by two trends reflecting a polarized electorate and politics: first, recent restrictions targeting education Teaching constitutional law today has been impacted by two trends reflecting a polarized electorate and politics: first, recent restrictions targeting
: Several times each month, we are pleased to republish a recent book review from the Canadian Law Library Review ( CLLR ). CLLR is the official journal of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD) , and its reviews cover both practice-oriented and academic publications related to the law. Equal and Inalienable Rights: Essays on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights . Edited by Melanie R. Bueckert & Derek B.M. Ross. Toronto: LexisNexis, 2024. xlii, 458 p. ISBN 9780433533801 (softcover) $145.00. Reviewed by Emily Da Silva Head, Research Support (Education, Law, Management, and Social Sciences) University of Ottawa Library This . . . [more] The post Book Review: Equal and Inalienable Rights: Essays on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights appeared first on Slaw
: We searched for all federal cases filed in or removed to the Southern District of Mississippi between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2022.... The post Appendix to Civil Rights Deserts appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: Today, it seems obvious that criminal defendants can waive constitutional rights. Plea bargains make up the vast majority of criminal convictions, and defendants routinely trade their rights — to indictment, to remain silent, to an attorney, to a jury — in exchange for a faster trial or a lesser charge. The modern criminal legal system is a regime of negotiated justice. Rights used to have more force. The post The First Criminal Procedure Revolution appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: In recent years, various legislative and school board actions have sought to restrict or censor educational content related to race, gender, sexuality, and identity.1 One prominent example is Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act2 — the “Don’t Say Gay” law — which prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in certain grades. The post Reimagining the Schoolhouse Gate: Children’s Right to Receive Information in the Age of Curriculum Censorship appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: Then consequently, those must be bad Laws, which authorize the Imprisoning [of] any Man for Debt, who does honestly give up to his Creditors... The post (Attenuating) the Taint of Poverty: How Fourteenth Amendment Jurisprudence and the Attenuated Doctrine Lead to Lesser Fourth Amendment Rights for the Poor appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: EU restrictive measures, or EU sanctions, are essential tools in the EU's foreign policy arsenal, designed to promote peace, security, and human rights. However, these measures can significantly impact individuals, law firms, sanctioned banks, and businesses listed under these sanctions. Discover how EU sanctions work, the legal recourses available to those affected, and the crucial role banks play in compliance. Read on to understand the complexities of EU restrictive measures and how to navigate them effectively. The post Understanding EU Restrictive Measures: Rights, Recourses, and Banking Obligations appeared first on Banking and Finance law in Belgium
: The present paper aims to investigate the new project of accession to the European Convention of Human Rights. Interest is the individual appeal at the European Court of Human Rights and the autonomy of the law of the European Union. It is worth paying attention first of all to the aspects of the accession of the Union to the ECHR, as well as to the adaptation of the individual appeal procedure before the ECtHR. This is a discipline that aims to ensure the integration of the law of the European Union as well as to achieve the accession that leads to the effective strengthening of the protection of individual rights within the legal order of the Union. Also important is the aspect that reflects (and cannot be preliminary) the potential and limits the individual appeal procedure to a new draft agreement within the perspective of the autonomy of the law of the Union through the rank of constitutional
: Abstract Throughout the nineteenth century and much of the twentieth, remedies for federal government misconduct were often predicated on rights to sue conferred by... The post Federal Tort Liability After Egbert v. Boule: The Case for Restoring the Officer Suit at Common Law appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: Chief Justice John Marshall recognized that Indian tribes are “distinct, independent political communities, retaining their original natural rights, as the undisputed possessors of the... The post Lexington Insurance Co. v. Smith appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: While technology advances, do Fourth Amendment rights keep pace to preserve privacy? Or do they get left behind? Regardless of the answer, it would... The post Long Lake Township v. Maxon appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: Federal civil rights have been in general retreat for roughly a half-century. Seeing the beginnings of this trend in the mid-1970s following the end... The post Enforcing State Constitutions Through Constitutional Torts appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: “[W]here there is a legal right, there is also a legal remedy . . . .” Although Blackstone’s maxim has led to efforts to redress constitutional violations, courts... The post Fulton v. Fulton County Board of Commissioners appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: EU restrictive measures, or EU sanctions, are essential tools in the EU's foreign policy arsenal, designed to promote peace, security, and human rights. However, these measures can significantly impact individuals, law firms, sanctioned banks, and businesses listed under these sanctions. Discover how EU sanctions work, the legal recourses available to those affected, and the crucial role banks play in compliance. Read on to understand the complexities of EU restrictive measures and how to navigate them effectively. The post Understanding EU Restrictive Measures: Rights, Recourses, and Banking Obligations appeared first on Droit bancaire et financier en Belgique
: EU restrictive measures, or EU sanctions, are essential tools in the EU's foreign policy arsenal, designed to promote peace, security, and human rights. However, these measures can significantly impact individuals, law firms, sanctioned banks, and businesses listed under these sanctions. Discover how EU sanctions work, the legal recourses available to those affected, and the crucial role banks play in compliance. Read on to understand the complexities of EU restrictive measures and how to navigate them effectively. The post Understanding EU Restrictive Measures: Rights, Recourses, and Banking Obligations appeared first on Droit bancaire et financier en Belgique
: Data Protection Day 2025! miriam Fri, 01/24/2025 - 14:55 Tue, 01/28/2025 - 12:00 Every year on 28 January, we celebrate Data Protection Day. This date marks the anniversary of the Council of Europe’s Convention 108, the first binding international law securing individuals' rights to protection of their personal data. Read our factsheets to learn more about your rights 1 Read our factsheets to learn more about your
: For Professor Seánna Howard , Director of the International Human Rights Advocacy Workshop, international legal research begins with a simple but important recognition: the most valuable sources are not always the most familiar ones. Her research has taken her to Tucson, where she joined the renowned Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy (IPLP) Program at the University of Arizona College of Law. Along the way, she has worked as an advocate, lawyer, researcher, independent expert, and educator on issues involving Indigenous Peoples, international human rightslaw, and social justice. Her work also reflects the importance of developing research strategies for areas . . . [more] The post Researching Beyond the Familiar: An Interview With Professor Seánna Howard appeared first on Slaw
: The Framework Convention on AI builds on international human rightslaw to establish a legal instrument aimed at ensuring respect for fundamental rights and principles recognised by States in the context of the development and use of AI. It is therefore in line with international and European ethical frameworks on AI. At the same time, it is a unique text, the first multilateral treaty applicable to activities within the AI lifecycle. This raises questions about its contribution to the contemporary co-construction of global AI governance. To this end, this contribution offers a systematic and contextual legal analysis of the main provisions of the text, examining first the holistic scope of the Framework Convention on AI and secondly its high-level normative substance. The analysis shows that the Convention is the result of a global political compromise, which makes it a text with modest and uncertain legal scope, especially with regard to persons affected by AI. At the same time, the legal methodology it ad[...]
: Prison law is characterized by judicial deference to penal administrators. Despite the well-documented horrors that occur behind prison walls, federal and state courts often decline to intervene, asserting, among other things, that prisoners’ rights are limited and that the judicial branch lacks the power and expertise to get involved in the inner workings of detention facilities. Moreover, jurists often assume that the nation’s first courts largely stayed out of prisons and jails, and contemporary judicial deference is therefore historically rooted. The post The Forgotten History of Prison Law: Judicial Oversight of Detention Facilities in the Nation’s Early Years appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: Can habeas corpus cases proceed as class actions? The Supreme Court has never squarely answered that question, even in cases where lower courts certified habeas classes. But the Trump Administration’s wholesale push to expel noncitizens has forced the question to the center of modern civil rights litigation. The post Habeas Class Actions appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: State constitutions serve as important sources of individual rights. They often extend broader protections than the Federal Constitution and have, in some instances, included... The post Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute, Inc. v. Secretary, Florida Department of State appeared first on Harvard Law Review
: Happy Data Protection Day 2026! agnieszka Mon, 01/26/2026 - 15:55 Wed, 01/28/2026 - 12:00 Every year on 28 January, we celebrate Data Protection Day. This date marks the anniversary of the Council of Europe’s Convention 108, the first binding international law securing individuals' rights to protection of their personal data.
: Each Monday we present brief excerpts of recent posts from five of Canada’s award-winning legal blogs chosen at random* from more than 80 recent Clawbie winners. In this way we hope to promote their work, with their permission, to as wide an audience as possible. This week the randomly selected blogs are 1. Canadian occupational health & safety law 2. Employment & Human RightsLaw in Canada 3. Legal Post Blog 4. Know How 5. ABlawg.ca Canadian occupational health & safety law Do you know what you don’t know? Workplace hazard disclosure and the limits of owner liability under the . . . [more] The post Monday’s Mix appeared first on Slaw
: As a supplement to our Sunday Summary each month, Supreme Advocacy LLP in Ottawa presents Supreme One-Liners, a super-short descriptive guide to the most recent decisions at the Supreme Court of Canada. Supreme Advocacy LLP offers its more comprehensive weekly electronic newsletter, Supreme Advocacy Letter , summarizing all Appeals, Oral Judgments and Leaves to Appeal granted. Appeals Real Property: Riparian Rights Zardev Inc. v. Dydzak, 2026 SCC 27 (41291) Clarifications re riparian rights, submerged lots, accessories. Leave to Appeal Granted Administrative Law/Police: Mandamus Royal Canadian Mounted Police External Review Committee, et al. v. Benison, et al ., 2026 FCA 53 . . . [more] The post Summaries Sunday: Supreme One-Liners appeared first on Slaw
: This work is aimed at initiating of discussion and developing a general theory of privacy law. The author suggests beginning with classification of legal relationships arising in privacy sphere, as a first step toward identifying the flaws in privacy rulemaking and law application. The relational theory of law, underlying this work, explains why each privacy legal relationship will take its own direction and will form an object in a unique way. The method used in this work is classification of legal relationships using the bases adopted from theory of civil law. The work identifies at least nine types of privacy legal relationships, interpret them, shows them as a correlated system, highlights the patterns of their existence and draws parallels between some institutions of civil law and privacy law. Also, the concept of legal relationships discovers many mysteries of theory privacy law and teaches us what is the object of subjective privacy right, what subjective obligations actually has a data controller an[...]
: The Society for Children and Youth of BC (SCYBC) recently published a series of research papers on child capacity in the context of children’s participation rights [Note 1]. The papers examine capacity generally and in four specific contexts: health care, mental health, family law, and child welfare and adoption. Why does this matter? Traditionally, we have tended to assume that a child must first demonstrate sufficient “capacity” before being permitted to meaningfully participate in decisions affecting their life. And capacity has often been assessed primarily through the lens of cognitive ability. The SCYBC reports challenge both assumptions. I found them . . . [more] The post Busting Myths About Children’s Capacity to Meaningfully Participate appeared first on Slaw
: This article explores the tension between the legal status of animals as property and their growing recognition as sentient beings. It traces the evolution of legal and ethical thinking on animal issues, distinguishing between two waves of thought: the first, based on individual rights and liberal rationality, and the second, more inclusive and critical, incorporating feminist, ecologist and post-colonial approaches. The article proposes several avenues for reform, ranging from the recognition of animal legal personality to the creation of specific legal categories, but highlights the limits of these overly theoretical approaches. In practice, progress is best achieved through concrete legislative reforms (such as the French laws of 2021 or the Italian constitutional reform of 2022) and strategic litigation, aimed at enforcing or interpreting existing laws in favor of animals. In short, the article argues for a more pragmatic and coherent approach to animal protection, while calling for a move beyond traditi[...]
: The implications for employment law of the rise in numbers of people working in the Gig Economy have received significant attention in many countries in recent years. The changing nature of employment in a digital era has given rise to uncertainty regarding some of the core features of the traditional employment relationship. Thus, the employment status of those working in what is considered non-standard employment such as casual workers or those in the gig economy, has been tested through the courts on numerous occasions, with varying outcomes. Central to such cases is determining whether or not an employment relationship exists, notably whether individuals should be considered employees under a contract of service or independent contractors under a contract for service (or some intermediary category such as « worker status » as in the UK for example). Determining employment status is often the first step in cases, as the application of employment law, employee rights and other
: Over the past few years, I’ve delivered presentations to legal groups and member organizations focussed on “Journey Mapping”. [1] Journey Mapping is the visual representation of an individual’s journey through a process that happens over time. It is a collection of touchpoints from the beginning to the end looking at the individual’s experience, the stages in a process, the actors and emotions. It sounds like a simple concept, right? But, what is most complex is trying to explain the value of Journey Mapping in the law, because there is exceptional value, and you only have to see it to see . . . [more] The post A Victim’s Criminal Justice Journey: The Value of Visual Mapping appeared first on Slaw
: dc.contributor.author: Polo-Bergeron, Pierre dc.date.issued: 2026-10 dc.description.abstract: Ce mémoire propose une analyse critique du droit international de l’eau et de son application concrète, en particulier dans le bassin du Nil. La première partie examine l’architecture juridique internationale relative aux eaux transfrontalières, en détaillant ses fondements coutumiers et conventionnels ainsi que ses obligations procédurales et substantielles, et en évaluant son intégration des droits humains. La seconde partie analyse l’exemple égyptien comme vitrine des défis contemporains : elle met en lumière la tension entre la souveraineté étatique, la coopération régionale, la sécurité hydrique, le changement climatique et les crises humanitaires. L’étude conclut que si le droit international de l’eau constitue une base normative solide, sa mise en oeuvre reste tributaire de la volonté politique des États et de la création de mécanismes conjoints, qui seuls permettent une coopération effective et durable dans [...]
: From time to time, this blog will highlight initiatives, ideas, or activities coming from members, committees or special interest groups (SIGs). Today: Adapting the SALI Taxonomy to the Canadian Legal Environment , b y Michael McAlpine , Manager, Information, Research & Knowledge at Siskinds (London, Ontario) On September 28 th , the Knowledge Management Special Interest Group of CALL met to discuss and learn about the Legal Matter Specification Standard developed by the SALI Alliance . The SALI Alliance (Standards Advancement for the Legal Industry) is a non-profit organization open to all stakeholders in the legal community. Members include law firms, companies, legal service providers, legal industry associations and academic institutions. Founding sponsors are the Legal Marketing Association (LMA) and the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA). Guest speaker Jim Hannigan spoke about the history of the taxonomy and the current uses of it in the legal industry. Michael McAlpine then discussed the work d[...]
: Brussels, 12 September - During its September plenary meeting, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has adopted guidelines on the interplay between the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) . These are the first set of EDPB guidelines on the interplay between the GDPR and the EU’s recently adopted digital laws. The DSA aims to complement the rules of the GDPR to ensure the highest level of protection of fundamental rights in the digital space. Its main goal is to create a safer online environment in which the fundamental rights of all users, including the right to freedom of expression, are protected. It applies to online intermediary services , such as search engines and platforms. Several provisions included in the DSA entail the processing of personal data by intermediary service providers. The EDPB guidelines contribute to the consistent application of the DSA and of the GDPR, insofar as some provisions of the DSA concern the processing of personal data by inte[...]
: Brussels, 09 October - The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) and the European Commission endorsed joint guidelines on the interplay between the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) . These are the first joint guidelines by the Board and the European Commission. In line with its 2024-2027 Strategy and the recent Helsinki Statement’s objectives to make GDPR compliance easier and strengthen consistency, the EDPB has cooperated with the European Commission, each within their respective mandates, to facilitate the coherent application of the DMA*and GDPR and to increase legal certainty for gatekeepers, business users, beneficiaries and individuals. EDPB Chair Anu Talus said: “These joint guidelines are the result of a fruitful cooperation between the EDPB and the European Commission. This is the first time that the EDPB and the European Commission prepare guidelines jointly. This approach maximises usefulness of the guidance by simplifying compliance for businesses and[...]
: Brussels, 27 April – Today marks the 10th anniversary of the GDPR’s adoption, the first comprehensive data protection framework spanning an entire continent, establishing clear rights for individuals and obligations for organisations across Europe. The moment that led to the creation of the EDPB The GDPR led to the establishment of the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) on 25 May 2018, replacing the Article 29 Working Party that was previously in charge of dealing with issues relating to the protection of personal data. The GDPR gave the Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) stronger enforcement powers and expanded the scope of their work from focusing mainly on national compliance complaints to routinely dealing with cross-border cases. In the past 10 years, the 31 European DPAs comprising the EDPB have worked together to ensure the consistent enforcement of the GDPR and a harmonised data protection approach across Europe. A key role in an evolving digital landscape Today, the GDPR is part of a broader an[...]
: CALL member Erica Friesen, Research and Instruction Librarian & Online Learning Specialist at the Lederman Law Library at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario recently wrote an article on " Thoughts on the New Lexis+ Brief Analysis Tool: For Law Students and Novice Researchers ". It originally appeared on Slaw.ca on September 28, 2022. It is republished here with permission of the author. New academic year; new legal research tools. Something new always comes out right as another cohort of students is gearing up to begin their law degree. And, as with many new product launches these days, “artificial intelligence” is often a prominently displayed term with accompanying materials. As legal publishers continue to launch AI-driven research tools in Canada, what do students and other novice researchers need to know to be prepared for their first forays into legal research? Lexis recently launched the latest version of their legal research platform, Lexis+ Canada, for Canadian law schools. It features signific[...]
: FTC settlement challenges deceptive claims by patent assertion entity wfg-adm109 November 6, 2014 | 11:07AM FTC settlement challenges deceptive claims by patent assertion entity By Lesley Fair Patent assertion entities have been the subject of much debate in antitrust and intellectual property circles. But there’s one proposition we hope that parties on all sides of the issue can agree on: It’s illegal to falsely threaten patent suits against small businesses or make unfounded claims that other companies have paid for patent licenses. That’s the misconduct alleged in a settlement the FTC just announced with patent assertion entity MPHJ Technology Investments, LLC, MPHJ corporate officer Jay Mac Rust, and Texas-based law firm Farney Daniels, P.C. Generally speaking, patent assertion entities are companies that acquire patent rights and then seek licensing fees from businesses they claim are infringing their patents. The FTC’s action centers on representations that MPHJ made while asserting patents that relate[...]
: September 30 has been a significant date in Canada since 2013, when Phyllis Webstad from the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation shared her story of attending St. Joseph’s Residential School in Williams Lake, BC, for the first time in 1973. As a youngster , she proudly wore her shiny new orange shirt, only to have it taken from her by the school. Since then, Orange Shirt Day has been a national movement in Canada where people across the country wear orange in honour of Phyllis and other residential school survivors, so that we both recognize and raise awareness of the history and legacies of the Canadian residential school system. This year’s Orange Shirt Day, September 30, 2021, is also the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. As part of its mandate, the Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization Committee (DIDC) of CALL/ACBD is committed to fostering awareness and acumen in respect of issues of diversity, inclusion, and decolonization within all sectors of law librarianship and related[...]
: By: Susannah Tredwell , Manager of Library Services at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP and James Bachmann , Instructional Librarian, Law Library, University of British Columbia Since 1988, when CALL/ACBD’s Copyright Committee was first set up, CALL/ACBD has advocated for its members' interests in the area of copyright. While the primary focus of CALL/ACBD’s copyright advocacy over the last few years has been on Crown copyright and primary law, CALL/ACBD has also made submissions about such areas as fair dealing and licencing. CALL/ACBD sees this work as not only supporting the needs of its members but also as serving the interests of access to justice as a whole. Continuing this work, on January 18, 2022 CALL/ACBD, along with Library Futures Institute, will act as an intervener in the Supreme Court of Canada case Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, et al. v. Entertainment Software Association, et al. Kim Nayyer, CALL/ACBD’s President, and Robert Janes of JFK Law will be representing CALL[...]
: Keep FCRA in the foreground when the subject is background screening chundycz April 9, 2014 | 12:13AM Keep FCRA in the foreground when the subject is background screening By Lesley Fair When the talk turns to Big Data, part of the conversation is about all the public information available about people's lives – and how companies market it to prospective employers, landlords, etc. Two cases just announced by the FTC serve as a cautionary reminder to members of the industry that what they do may be subject to the long-standing consumer protections of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) . InfoTrack, an Illinois company, and San Diego-based Instant Checkmate will be paying civil penalties to settle FTC lawsuits that they violated the FCRA. Is it time for an FCRA refresher at your business? Instant Checkmate marketed its reports as a way for prospective employers and landlords to investigate applicants. For example, the company advertised that one of the “GOOD REASONS to get instant criminal checks on anyo[...]
: Brussels, 17 November - The EDPB organises a remote event to collect stakeholders’ input on anonymisation and pseudonymisation on implications of the judgement of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in EDPS v Single Resolution Board (SRB) . The event will take place on 12 December 2025 (time to be confirmed). This will be an opportunity to inform and support the EDPB’s ongoing work on these topics as per its work programme 2024-2025 and it reflects the EDPB’s commitment to stakeholder engagement, as outlined in the recent Helsinki statement . Who can participate? Individuals representing sector associations, organisations or NGOs and individual companies, law firms or academics are invited to express their interest to participate in this event (one participant per organisation). The EDPB encourages all organisations interested in this matter to delegate a representative with technical knowledge of these topics. As a general rule, participants will be registered on a first-come first-served b[...]
: Le texte français suit. Dear CALLeagues, It was wonderful seeing over 160 of you in Moncton last month for a fantastic conference! I am still thinking about some of the sessions, from Dean Michael Marin's keynote on embedded librarianship and the role that law librarians have in legal education and practice, to sessions on generative AI use in law faculties and law firms, negotiating vendor contracts, and more. A huge thank you to co-chairs Michèle Leblanc and Laura Corscadden and the entire conference planning committee for all of their hard work. We have received wonderful feedback already, though a formal survey will be sent out in the coming weeks. Please do look out for that. As I settle into the president's role, I want to thank Jason Wong for an outstanding year at the helm. Jason's focus on community building and financial sustainability moved us forward in real, tangible ways, and his commitment to inclusion set a standard I hope to maintain. Thank you also to Mary-Jo Petsche for her four years on t[...]
: Hannah Steeves, the Instruction & Reference Librarian at the Sir James Dunn Law Library, Dalhousie University (Halifax), recently wrote an article on "Using Vinyl & Spotify to Understand Legal Information Online" . It originally appeared on Slaw.ca on February 15, 2022 . Most legal research is done online through a combination of open and subscription databases. Legal information is available at our fingertips through Justice Laws, LEGISinfo, CanLII, Westlaw, Lexis, ProView, SOQUIJ, [insert your preferred database here], and the list goes on. The availability of electronic resources has radically changed—and will continue to change—the way legal professionals conduct research. However, despite my enthusiasm for the improved accessibility and retrievability, I think the lack of engagement that new legal researchers have with print resources creates comprehension issues. The disconnect between a source’s print and electronic formats reduces their understanding of the process used to create the document. Unders[...]
: Speaking of Spokeo: Part 2 — The company’s allegedly bogus endorsements wfg-adm109 June 13, 2012 | 12:25PM Speaking of Spokeo: Part 2 — The company’s allegedly bogus endorsements By Lesley Fair The lawsuit against data broker Spokeo is the FTC’s first Fair Credit Reporting Act case addressing the collection of online info — including data from social networking sites — when used in the context of employment screening. But that’s not the only way the Spokeo settlement touches on social media. The FTC also charged that Spokeo violated Section 5 by having employees post glowing recommendations of the company’s services on news and technology websites without disclosing their true identity. Perhaps just the work of a rogue cubicle occupant? No, said the FTC. According to the complaint , Spokeo directed its employees to write the comments. Spokeo managers then edited what they wrote and had the staffers post the endorsements using account names provided by Spokeo. The purpose, says the FTC, was to give read[...]
: Brussels, 09 April - The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has published its 2025 Annual Report . The report provides an overview of the EDPB work carried out in 2025 and reflects on important milestones, such as the adoption of the Helsinki Statement on Enhanced Clarity, Support, and Engagement . “In 2025, we saw the data protection landscape change significantly. The rapid expansion of the EU’s digital regulatory framework has added complexity to the data protection ecosystem. To help organisations navigate this complexity and support compliance, the EDPB focused on enhancing legal certainty, making compliance more achievable in practice, and strengthening cooperation, both among Data Protection Authorities and with other regulators. We also prioritised meaningful dialogue with stakeholders to ensure our work reflected real-world needs. Our achievements support economic growth while continuing to protect individuals’ fundamental rights to privacy and data protection.” EDPB Chair, Anu Talus The Hel[...]
: Brussels, 06 May - During its latest plenary, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) adopted an opinion on the European Commission’s draft adequacy decision under the GDPR concerning the European Patent Organisation (EPO) . In addition, the Board adopted an opinion on the European Commission’s proposal to extend the validity of the UK adequacy decisions under the GDPR and the Law Enforcement Directive (LED) . Finally, the EDPB agreed to grant the status of observer to the Personal Data Protection Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Adequate protection of personal data by the EPO At the European Commission’s request, the Board adopted an opinion on the Commission’s draft adequacy decision regarding the European Patent Organisation (EPO). Once formally adopted by the Commission, this will be the first adequacy decision concerning an international organisation and not a country or a region. An adequacy decision is a key-mechanism in EU data protection legislation which allows the European Commission to deter[...]
: Nixing the Fix: Warranties, Mag-Moss, and restrictions on repairs lfair March 18, 2019 | 10:24AM Nixing the Fix: Warranties, Mag-Moss, and restrictions on repairs By Lesley Fair First, the bad news: That nifty purchase needs a repair. Now the good news for consumers: It’s still under warranty. But where can they go to get it fixed? Can the manufacturer restrict a consumer’s ability to go to the independent repair shop of their choice? Can the manufacturer use glue, non-standard screws, and proprietary diagnostic software that make it difficult for independent repair shops to fix things? Do limitations like these affect consumers’ rights under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act ? That’s the topic of Nixing the Fix: A Workshop on Repair Restrictions , an FTC event scheduled for July 16, 2019 . Enforced by the FTC, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act helps consumers make informed buying decisions and gives them access to remedies if the widget starts to fidget during the warranty period. One key consumer protection unde[...]
: By Erin Clupp, Research Librarian in Norton Rose Fulbright’s Vancouver office. Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed library school and are a freshly minted information professional. What is an exciting time in your life can also be overshadowed by what comes next: the dreaded job hunt, heightened by the fact that we are still struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this being a challenging and unprecedented time to enter the workforce, there are still many exciting opportunities that await you. Here are some tips and words of advice that I hope are helpful and comforting as you navigate through this next phase of your career: 1) Manage your expectations but be kind to yourself First and foremost, job hunting can really suck. It’s important to acknowledge this and understand there will be periods of frustration, self-doubt, and worry (especially when we have bills to pay). This is normal! Rejection can be painful, and sending applications into that black hole where resumes seem to go can b[...]
: Franchise Fundamentals: Taking a deep dive into the Franchise Disclosure Document lfair May 23, 2023 | 6:41PM Franchise Fundamentals: Taking a deep dive into the Franchise Disclosure Document By Lesley Fair Love at first sight may (or may not) be a real thing, but when it comes to investing your money, it’s unwise to fall for a franchise without first subjecting it to tough-minded scrutiny. The third in the FTC’s Franchise Fundamentals blog series walks through an essential part of that evaluation: an in-depth review of the Financial Disclosure Document (FDD) required by the FTC’s Franchise Rule . You must receive the Franchise Disclosure Document at least 14 days before you’re asked to sign any contract or pay any money to the franchisor or one of its affiliates. In fact, you have the right to the FDD once the franchisor has received your application and agrees to consider it. So speak up if you don’t receive it and ask questions – lots of them – as you review the FDD and any attached documents. Image Ind[...]
: Claim number: M00LU691 In the County Court at Luton Luton Justice Centre 5 June 2026 Before: His Honour Judge Davies Between: Luton community housing limited (“squared”) -v- 1. Christopher Earl 2. David Earl 3. Charlotte Earl 4. Roger Litchfield MR VAUGHAN appeared on behalf of the Claimant THE FOURTH DEFENDANT appeared In Person (part) NO APPEARANCE by or on behalf of all other Defendants Judgement (approved) This Transcript is Crown Copyright. It may not be reproduced in whole or in part, other than in accordance with relevant licence or with the express consent of the Authority. All rights are reserved. WARNING: reporting restrictions may apply to the contents transcribed in this document, particularly if the case concerned a sexual offence or involved a child. Reporting restrictions prohibit the publication of the applicable information to the public or any section of the public, in writing, in a broadcast or by means of the internet, including social media. Anyone who receives a copy of this transcript [...]
: We can’t go for that (no can do) lfair July 17, 2017 | 11:38AM We can’t go for that (no can do) By Lesley Fair Of course, phantom debt collection – the practice of pressuring people to pay “debts” they don’t owe – harms consumers. But as an FTC complaint demonstrates, when phantom debt collectors strike, they could affect your company, too. According to the FTC , a Florida-based outfit engaged in a scheme to defraud consumers through the collection of debts people didn’t actually owe or the company didn’t have the authority to collect. The complaint charges that the defendants – Hardco Holding Group, S & H Financial Group, Dequan M. Sicard, and Daryl M. Hall (no, not that Daryl Hall) – violated the FTC Act and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. When contacting consumers, in many instances the defendants allegedly impersonated attorneys and threatened to have people thrown in jail if they didn’t pay up on delinquent payday loans – loans, remember, that many consumers didn’t take out in the first place and de[...]
: Buckle up for a two-lane look at car buying lfair July 30, 2020 | 1:04PM Buckle up for a two-lane look at car buying By Lesley Fair It’s one of the biggest purchases people make, but two new FTC staff reports examine some common pitfalls when consumers are in the market for a car. Buckle down and read the Bureau of Consumer Protection’s Buckle Up: Navigating Auto Sales and Financing , which focuses on the challenges buyers face in getting accurate, understandable information when shopping for a vehicle. Not in the auto business? Not so fast. The deep-dive analysis of Buckle Up and an accompanying report by BCP staff and the Bureau of Economics – The Auto Buyer Study: Lessons From In-Depth Consumer Interviews And Related Research – offer insights into the perception and behavior of consumers in the study that can apply to other industries. The FTC’s interest in auto-related transactions goes back decades. (Check out Volume 1 of Federal Trade Commission Decisions for a 1919 case regarding deception in the s[...]
: New FTC warning letters cite unsupported Coronavirus-related health and earnings claims sgressin April 24, 2020 | 12:44PM New FTC warning letters cite unsupported Coronavirus-related health and earnings claims By Seena Gressin The FTC is not the pen pal you want if you operate a multi-level marketing company but aren’t closely monitoring your distributors. In its latest round of warning letters, the FTC warns ten MLM companies that they are responsible for the claims made by their participants. The letters direct the companies to report within 48 hours what actions they’ve taken to stop their distributors from claiming their products can treat or prevent Coronavirus disease, that MLM business opportunity participants are likely to earn substantial income, or both. The FTC says that the health and earnings claims are unsubstantiated and therefore violate truth-in-advertising laws. The products at issue are not scientifically proven to treat or prevent COVID-19, the disease that Coronavirus causes. The FTC pre[...]
: KEY TAKEAWAYS The French high schooler-led uprising is not a sign of a generational struggle pitting the young against baby boomers. The uprisings indicate a state of discontentment reflecting three grievances: failings within the education system, eco-anxiety and concerns over employment in the age of AI. Far from demanding a break with the established order, young protesters are simply asking for the right to live a good and fair life... like their predecessors before them. Rarely has Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents seemed so relevant to the times in which we are living. Although the discontents we are currently witnessing do not necessarily affect society as a whole, they are certainly impacting an entire generation born in the 21st century, as well as their parents and their social environment. Admittedly, we know that generations are not homogeneous and that any attempt to generalise is an oversimplification. Nevertheless, the high schoolers that are taking to the streets to protest in this day[...]