This week, Yahoo! Inc. announced its discovery of an August, 2013 data breach of over one billion user account records. The announcement came less than three months after the company disclosed a 2014 breach of more than 500 million records, although Yahoo! believes the two incidents are “likely distinct” from each other.
The 2013 incident involved access by “an unauthorized third party” to user names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, some hashed passwords and security questions and answers. Yahoo! stated that its investigation indicated that no clear text passwords, bank account information or payment card data were affected.
Yahoo! is already defending multiple class action lawsuits involving the 2014 breach. The 2013 incident is expected to spawn additional lawsuits and possible regulatory investigations at the state and federal levels. Questions that Yahoo! will likely face include why it took the company over three years to discover the incident and whether the 2013 and 2014 breaches are, in fact, distinct and not related events.
Access the Yahoo! December 14, 2016 announcement here. Contact us at Ossian Law regarding any information technology law question.
UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS & WORKSHOPS
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“2017’s Hot Topics in Information Technology Law”
Ossian Law P.C., Wednesday, January 25th, 5:30- 7:00 p.m.
701 Woodward Heights, Suite 117
Ferndale, MI 48220
Medical device hacking, fake news sites and the law, benefits and risks of artificial intelligence, fiduciary access to digital assets and drone regulation are just a few of the topics that Information Technology attorney and Ossian Law P.C. Founder and CEO Kathy Ossian will cover in this annual informative and interesting session. Hear how new technologies may impact your organization and gain insight toward minimizing risk and liabilities. Complimentary admission includes heavy hors d’oeuvres. Networking from 5:30-6:00 with presentation at 6:00. Space is limited. Register here today!
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“Social Media 2017: Addressing Corporate Risks”
Practicing Law Institute, Wednesday, February 15, 2017
1177 6th Ave.
New York, NY 10036
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, Twitter, Yelp, YouTube and other social media sites are transforming not only the daily lives of consumers, but also how companies interact with consumers. Indeed, even the largest, most conservative blue-chip corporations have embraced social media; one study revealed that, of the Fortune Global 500, 93% were on LinkedIn; 85% had Twitter accounts; 74% had a presence on Facebook; and 64% had a YouTube channel; these numbers will only increase over time.
However, along with the exciting new marketing opportunities presented by social media comes challenging new legal issues. In seeking to capitalize on the social media gold rush, is your company taking the time to identify and address the attendant legal risks? The good news is that, merely by undertaking simple, low-cost precautions, companies seeking to use social media can significantly reduce their potential liability exposure.
Full day event culminates with an in-house panel addresses hot issues and emerging trends, and provides creative solutions (moderated by Kathy Ossian of Ossian Law P.C.) More information available here.
Source: Ossian Law