Synthetic data: A potential solution to the de-identification problem

The risk of privacy breaches using large data sets of personal information is only increasing with advancements in data processing and artificial intelligence (AI). With any large-scale manipulation of personal data by organizations, there is potential for misuse or disclosure of protected personal information. For instance, AI and machine learning systems necessitate vast quantities of … Continue reading

Ninth Circuit joins Eleventh Circuit holding that social media marketers of financial products may be liable as sellers under Securities Law

Collage of stock numbers and lights               The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit recently issued an opinion in Pino v. Cardone Capital, LLC that followed the Eleventh Circuit ruling in Wildes v. BitConnect (see our March, 2022 post on that case here: Social media and cryptocurrency fraud), when it held that if a person promotes the sale … Continue reading

Photo backgrounds and copyright infringement

Many companies post photos on social media in order to promote their businesses.  A recent federal court ruling demonstrates how simple it is to become subject to a copyright infringement lawsuit because of the background of the photo.  (Petersen v. Diesel Power Gear LLC, No. 1:21-cv-08827 (SDA) (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 21, 2022) (2022 WL 17832314).) Background … Continue reading

Who owns the content created by ChatGPT?

Suppose you decided to use ChatGPT to create your next social media post.  Who owns the content?  You do! (Or your employer in certain situations) According to the OpenAI terms of use, OpenAI assigns to you all right, title and interest to the output generated and returned by its services. These services include ChatGPT (a … Continue reading

Marketing in the Metaverse facing regulatory limbo

The metaverse is an elusive concept, but can be broadly described as a rapidly growing extension of the tendrils of the internet, redefining what constitutes social media. As an ever-growing and immersive network of technologies, the metaverse attempts to close the gap between society and the media that serves as its vehicle. As it exists … Continue reading

Photos and Social Media

We have previously written on how expensive it can be to copy photos found on social media and use them for commercial purposes, as a result of copyright infringement claims.  On October 3, 2022, the Ninth Circuit explored a few more copyright issues, specifically:  who can bring the lawsuit, who controls social media pages, and … Continue reading

Bill C-27: Proposed legislation to regulate artificial intelligence and strengthen privacy law in Canada

By Dan Daniele Bill C-27, the Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022 seeks to bring “safety and trust” to the forefront of Canada’s evolving digital sphere, according to  the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Francois-Philippe Champagne, who introduced this bill on June 16, 2022. Bill C-27 promises to update and strengthen Canadian privacy law, govern … Continue reading

Influencer’s location = jurisdiction for tortious interference case

On August 5, 2022, a federal trial court in Ohio ruled that the location of a social media influencer meant that jurisdiction was proper for a tortious interference with contract lawsuit brought against the influencer and alleged interferers, even though one of the defendants had only been to Ohio once, five years ago.  EHPLabs Research, … Continue reading

Will the High Court tackle social media regulation next term?

Recently, our posts have discussed the rising call to reform Section 230 of the federal 1996 Communications Decency Act.  Now, a  controversial Florida Bill provides an opportunity for the Supreme Court to take up social media regulation on First Amendment grounds, potentially avoiding Section 230 reform.… Continue reading

Bears and bulls and social media

The pandemic brought about a shift in how investments are discussed online and has increased the influence social media has on the market. Social media is playing a larger role in the way ordinary retail investors understand and interact with today’s markets. Whether with investments in cryptocurrencies, NFT projects, or traditional security exchanges, social media’s … Continue reading
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