Welcome to Socially Aware

Socially Aware is devoted to the law and business of social media, proactively addressing emerging issues and keeping our clients informed of new developments. We cover fields such as artificial intelligence, privacy and data security, Section 230, intellectual property, and much more.

March 17, 2013 - Privacy, Litigation
A Fistful of Data: Facebook and Profile Technology, Inc. Showdown Over the Right to Use Outdated User Information
By: Jessica Kaufman
As social media matures and users become more concerned about the privacy of the information they publish online, New Zealand-based search engine app company Profile Technology, Inc. and Facebook are engaged in a legal battle stemming from a dispute over the right to use
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March 15, 2013 - FTC
FTC Updates Its “Dot Com Disclosures” With a Focus on Social Media Advertising
By: Julie O'Neill
On March 12, 2013, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued an important update to its “Dot Com Disclosures” guide to advertisers on making effective online disclosures. In doing so, the FTC has driven home the points that: The consumer protection laws apply to all advertisers,
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March 10, 2013 - Litigation
German Court Says Facebook Not Subject to German Law
Facebook may be gaining ground in its struggle against German authorities. In a preliminary ruling, the state of Schleswig-Holstein’s Administrative Court has rejected penalties against Facebook Inc. and Facebook Ireland, stating that the social network is not subject to German law. The Schleswig-Holstein state
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February 25, 2013 - Asia
Decades-Old Japanese Electioneering Law May Get a Web 2.0 Refresh
Here at Socially Aware , we report regularly on the difficulties inherent in applying long-established laws to new technologies like social media. An interesting example of this is unfolding in Japan: it concerns a decades-old law that has been interpreted to prohibit candidates, parties,
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February 19, 2013 - Privacy
Dear Facebook, Could You Please Forget I Exist?
By: Alex van der Wolk
Europe is currently undergoing a significant reform of its privacy regime. Under the current European Union (EU) Privacy Directive , individuals already have broad rights curtailing companies’ ability to process their personal data. The proposed EU Privacy Regulation seeks to broaden these rights even
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February 19, 2013 - Event
Social Media 2013: Addressing Corporate Risks – New York City Presentation
Please join Socially Aware editor John Delaney as he chairs Practising Law Institute’s (PLI) “Social Media 2013: Addressing Corporate Risks.” Issues to be addressed at the conference include the following: Social media: How it works, and why it is transforming the business world Drafting
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February 14, 2013 - DMCA, Terms of Use, Copyright, IP, Litigation
Thinking About Using Pictures Pulled From Twitter? Think Again, New York Court Warns
By: J. Alexander Lawrence
If you want to use those pictures you found on Twitter, beware. A federal judge in New York recently held that taking photos from Twitter to use for a commercial purpose infringes the photographer’s copyrights. On January 14, 2013, Judge Alison Nathan ruled that
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February 07, 2013 - FTC, Privacy, Litigation
FTC Announces Important Settlement With Social Networking App and Releases New Mobile App Report
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a potentially groundbreaking settlement with the social networking app Path and released an important new staff report on Mobile Privacy Disclosures late last week. The FTC’s Settlement with Path suggests a new standard may be on the near-term
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February 07, 2013 - Privacy, Litigation
You Can’t Make a Square Peg Fit in a Round Hole: California Supreme Court Holds Online Purchases of Electronically Downloadable Products Outside Scope of Song-Beverly Act
By: Purvi G. Patel
Handing a victory to online retailers, on February 4, 2013, the California Supreme Court held in a split decision that online transactions involving electronically downloadable products fall outside the scope of the Song-Beverly Credit Card Act ( Apple v. Superior Court (Krescent), S199384 ).
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February 04, 2013 - Privacy, Financial Institutions
Watch What You Tweet: Proposed Social Media Guidance for Financial Institutions
By: Nathan D. Taylor and Julie O'Neill
With the explosive growth of social media, consumers increasingly expect to be able to interact online with the companies from which they buy goods and services. As a result, financial institutions have begun to explore the use of social media, both to strengthen relationships
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Welcome to Socially Aware

A Fistful of Data: Facebook and Profile Technology, Inc. Showdown Over the Right to Use Outdated User Information

By: Jessica Kaufman

FTC Updates Its “Dot Com Disclosures” With a Focus on Social Media Advertising

By: Julie O'Neill

German Court Says Facebook Not Subject to German Law

Decades-Old Japanese Electioneering Law May Get a Web 2.0 Refresh

Dear Facebook, Could You Please Forget I Exist?

By: Alex van der Wolk

Social Media 2013: Addressing Corporate Risks – New York City Presentation

Thinking About Using Pictures Pulled From Twitter? Think Again, New York Court Warns

By: J. Alexander Lawrence

FTC Announces Important Settlement With Social Networking App and Releases New Mobile App Report

You Can’t Make a Square Peg Fit in a Round Hole: California Supreme Court Holds Online Purchases of Electronically Downloadable Products Outside Scope of Song-Beverly Act

By: Purvi G. Patel

Watch What You Tweet: Proposed Social Media Guidance for Financial Institutions

By: Nathan D. Taylor and Julie O'Neill