DOJ’s New CFAA Policy is a Good Start But Does Not Go Far Enough to Protect Security Researchers

Andrew Crocker of EFF responds to the announcement this week by DOJ about its revised policy for enforcement of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act: The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), the notoriously vague anti-hacking law, is long overdue for major… Continue reading DOJ’s New CFAA Policy is a Good Start But Does Not Go Far Enough to Protect Security Researchers

Fraudster who hacked SUNY Plattsburgh accounts gets 9 ¼ year prison sentence

Robert Gavin reports: A federal judge sentenced Michael P. Fish to 9 ¼ years in prison Friday, saying he depravedly hacked into the accounts of dozens of unsuspecting female students at SUNY Plattsburgh, stole their private photos and sold the images o… Continue reading Fraudster who hacked SUNY Plattsburgh accounts gets 9 ¼ year prison sentence

Department of Justice Announces New Policy for Charging Cases under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act

The Department of Justice today announced the revision of its policy regarding charging violations of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). The policy for the first time directs that good-faith security research should not be charged. Good faith sec… Continue reading Department of Justice Announces New Policy for Charging Cases under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act

Mint gets data breach claims dismissed

Alyssa M. Sones of SheppardMullin writes about a data breach lawsuit with a somewhat different, albeit unsuccessful, approach. Sones explains: Fraser’s allegation that Mint had a role in helping the hacker gain control of his phone number sets this cas… Continue reading Mint gets data breach claims dismissed

OCR: Current Fines Too Low to Spur Compliance; Agency Also Seeks Funding Boost, Injunctive Relief

Theresa Defino reports: Compared to other agencies, the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is a little fish in the big federal pond, but it has an outsize effect on HIPAA covered entities (CEs) and business associates (BAs). And, if Congress agrees, its… Continue reading OCR: Current Fines Too Low to Spur Compliance; Agency Also Seeks Funding Boost, Injunctive Relief

Indian government makes user data collection mandatory for VPNs; Providers debate leaving country

Rahul Verma reports: The Indian government has introduced a new IT policy that requires virtual private network companies (VPNs) to collect extensive customer data and maintain it for five years or more. The directive came from Computer Emergency Respo… Continue reading Indian government makes user data collection mandatory for VPNs; Providers debate leaving country

CERT-In’s directions on reporting data breach will hold companies accountable: Experts

Debangana Ghosh reports: The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) on Thursday made it mandatory for firms to report all incidents of cybersecurity vulnerabilities within six hours of noticing. Internet researchers and cybersecurity experts… Continue reading CERT-In’s directions on reporting data breach will hold companies accountable: Experts