Hashed & Salted: Vol. 1, Issue 2

Hashed & Salted | A Privacy and Data Security Update

We hope you enjoyed our inaugural issue of Hashed & Salted, our monthly update bringing you deeper dives into the most challenging privacy and data security issues companies are navigating. 

In this month’s issue, associate Bianca Lewis highlights some of the data privacy and security considerations both buyers and sellers should be aware of during M&A transactions, and how a  seller’s compliance with applicable data privacy and security regulations can be pivotal—and at times a deal-breaker—in M&A transactions, even where personal information collected by the seller is not the main asset being acquired by the buyer.

In our second article, associate Shely Berry writes about the explosion of state-proposed data privacy legislation—at least 27 comprehensive privacy bills were introduced in 16 states in the first three weeks of 2022 alone—a trend we expect to continue into the first two quarters of the year and possibly beyond. And in our team member spotlight, partner Nerissa Coyle McGinn shares her view on possible federal privacy legislation and why it might not be what people expect. 

We are also tracking developments in the EU very closely and recently held a webinar with our colleagues at Fieldfisher covering the Google Analytics and IAB TCFs decision (among other topics). Check out our webinar spotlight for a replay. 

In This Issue

• Data Privacy and Security Considerations in M&A Transactions
• State-Proposed Comprehensive Privacy Legislation in 2022
• Webinar Spotlight: Part Two: Adtech Adapts: Developments in Rules for Tracking and Targeting Across the U.S., the UK and France 
• In Case You Missed It: TL;DR? New Bill Addresses Online ‘Terms of Service’

Team Member Spotlight: Nerissa Coyle McGinn

“When it was enacted in 1998, COPPA was a major privacy development, and clients needed someone who understood the law. I decided to be the lawyer who could help clients comply with COPPA.” 

How did you develop your area of focus?  

When the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) was first enacted in 1998, law firms weren’t really focused on privacy and data in the same way they are today. COPPA was a major privacy development, and clients needed someone who understood the law. I decided to be the lawyer who could help clients comply with COPPA.  

What’s exciting you or grabbing your attention?  

The possibility of federal privacy legislation has my attention right now. I think if we are going to see any federal privacy legislation passed, it will probably be related to children’s privacy.   

What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
 
I have a brown belt in Issinryu karate, which is the style Mr. Miyagi teaches Daniel in The Karate Kid. I also cook dinner—like a real dinner—probably six nights a week.

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