Privacy, Cyber & Data Strategy Team

Employee privacy rights may soon be bolstered around the nation. Recently, lawmakers in almost half of the states have proposed or approved restrictions on an employer’s use of the credit history of applicants and employees when making employment decisions. Until 2007, employers in every state could lawfully assess an individual’s credit information when making employment […]

Sorrell v. IMS Health, 564 U.S. __ (June 23, 2011). In a 6-3 decision written by Justice Kennedy, the Supreme Court affirmed the conclusion of the Second Circuit that Vermont’s law that restricts the sale, disclosure and use of pharmacy records containing prescriber-identifying information violates the First Amendment. The Vermont statute prohibits pharmacies, health insurers […]

In its publicly released rankings for 2011, Chambers USA has again listed Alston & Bird’s Privacy and Security practice among the nation’s leading practices. Chambers highlighted the firm’s commitment to service quality with the client testimonial, “The firm has never disappointed me; it always goes the extra mile.” Chambers noted in particular the Firm’s practice […]

The Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade of the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing this morning on a staff discussion draft of the SAFE Data Act, a bill to require greater protection for sensitive consumer data and timely notification in case of breach. The witness list, witness statements, background memorandum and a copy […]

India issues extensive Privacy Rules with potentially significant impact on Outsourcing Services On April 11, 2011, India’s Central Government issued the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011 (the “Privacy Rules”). Although positioned as an effort to provide clarification to terms left undefined in the Information Technology […]