News & Commentary • Software Patents, Smartphones, and Litigation

March 11, 2020 • by Quandary Peak Research

On Our Radar: The Algorithmic Accountability Act

A growing number of corporations are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to automate processes and crunch information with speed and efficiency far exceeding human capabilities. But for all its revolutionary properties, AI has not escaped criticism. The underlying algorithms that govern AI behavior have been accused of bias, including in high-profile cases involving…

Court Rules Facial Recognition Lawsuit Against Facebook Can Proceed

On August 8, 2019, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled in a unanimous decision that a class action lawsuit against Facebook can proceed in court. Patel et al v. Facebook Inc. potentially exposes the technology giant to billions of dollars in lawsuits should a court rule in…

A Closer Look at California’s Data Privacy Law

The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) ‘drew first blood’ as it relates to regulating technology companies relying on consumer data to generate revenue. The state of California soon followed suit, passing the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in June 2018. The CCPA took effect on January 1, 2020, ushering in…

Political Ad Policies at Facebook, Twitter, and Google

The biggest and most widely-used technology platforms and services are being scrutinized ahead of the 2020 US presidential election. The central issue pins truth against freedom of speech, and whether user content or advertisers should be fact-checked by platforms that host and profit from said content. For Facebook, Twitter, and Google, that…

U.S. Department of Justice Mandates Changes to eSim Technology

The Justice Department (DOJ) has concluded an investigation into collusion between two wireless carriers and a related trade association regarding embedded SIM card (eSIM) technology. AT&T, Verizon, and the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (or GSMA) were the subjects of the DOJ investigation that will yield changes to how eSIM standards…

What Does DNA Use for Facial Mapping Mean?

In the latest prominent, science fiction-imitating example of the symbiotic relationship between the science and technology, the New York Times reports that China is leveraging new technology in an attempt to use DNA samples to construct an image of a person’s face. The process, known as DNA phenotyping (or DNA facial mapping),…

TikTok Chinese Ownership Raising National Security Concerns

China’s growing sphere of influence in the global technology sector is an especially fraught area of concern for US lawmakers. Early development of nascent or popular technologies means prominent, profitable footholds for patent holders while paving a path for future growth, and accusations of espionage are not unusual. A trade war between…

A Closer Look at the Antitrust Debate in the Technology Sector

The biggest and most influential technology companies – Google, Facebook, Apple, and Amazon – were once the darlings of Wall Street, the media, and consumers. But the tone has decisively shifted in recent months. Most news reporting focuses on data impropriety, privacy issues, and, increasingly, the pure size and scope of the…

EU Court of Justice Rules on Facebook Content Removal

The European Union has not shied away from addressing issues with Big Tech. Regulatory efforts undertaken in Europe have influenced other countries around the world, and EU courts have played a leading role in clarifying the extent and scope of regulations. Now, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled “that individual…

Ring, Law Enforcement, and Data Sharing Partnerships

Ring, the home security and smart home company best known for video doorbells and security cameras, has developed a series of data sharing partnerships with law enforcement around the United States. The relationships have raised concerns about privacy and potential civil liberties violations, as well as questions about the intersection of data,…