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The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation has published an archive of yearly data breaches, which provides data breach statistics collected by the office from 2007 to the present. These statistics clearly show that data breaches are on the rise in Massachusetts. Since 2007, in which there were 30 breach notifications, Massachusetts has seen an increase of 620% in the number of data breach notifications in that state.
A close analysis shows that the vast majority of these breaches are electronic in nature and primarily target banks with customers within the state of Massachusetts. The new archive includes information on whether driver’s license, Social Security, credit, or debit card numbers were taken, whether the data breached was encrypted, whether a mobile phone was stolen, and the relief that was offered to the affected individuals, such as payment or credit monitoring.
It will be interesting to see how consumer advocacy groups and attorneys use this information and whether fear of being listed in the archive will provide companies with an incentive to provide better data protection and security. If you or your business has been the victim of a data breach, contact one of our attorneys today.
The answer to this question is complex and nuanced. In the last decade or so, it has become fashionable to insist there is some stark dichotomy between what a trademark is and what a brand is. But the difference is not as stark as some marketers would like you to believe. The traditional definition of […]
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The Circle R and the TM symbols both relate to trademarks and both can be physically placed on products, packaging, advertising materials, websites, etc. The Circle R symbol is an “R” enclosed in a circle (®). While both are trademark-related symbols, there are different eligibility requirements for use, meanings, and implications. Here is a quick […]
Read more about Trademarks: What is the Difference Between the Circle R and TM Symbols?
E-commerce businesses must comply with federal and State-level advertising laws and regulations. This is true of any business. But e-commerce businesses face special challenges because there is a whole array of potential methods of innocently, accidentally, or intentionally violating advertising laws. These include the potential to engage in false and deceptive advertising practices, such as […]
Read more about Is Your E-Commerce Advertising in Compliance With Existing Laws?