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Daily Archives: February 9, 2015

Markey Report Reveals Automobile Security and Privacy Vulnerabilities

“New standards are needed to plug security and privacy gaps in our cars and trucks, according to a report released today by Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.). The report, called Tracking & Hacking: Security & Privacy Gaps Put American Drivers at Risk and first reported on by CBS News’ 60 Minutes, reveals how sixteen major automobile manufacturers responded to questions from Senator Markey in 2014 about how vehicles may be vulnerable to hackers, and how driver information is collected and protected. The responses from the automobile manufacturers show a vehicle fleet that has fully adopted wireless technologies like Bluetooth and even wireless Internet access, but has not addressed the real possibilities of hacker infiltration into vehicle systems. The report also details the widespread collection of driver and vehicle information, without privacy protections for how that information is shared and used. “Drivers have come to rely on these new technologies, but unfortunately the automakers haven’t done their part to protect us from cyber-attacks or privacy invasions. Even as we are more connected than ever in our cars and trucks, our technology systems and data security remain largely unprotected,” said Senator Markey, a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “We need to work with the industry and cyber-security experts to establish clear rules of the road to ensure the safety and privacy of 21st-century American drivers.” Senator Markey posed his questions after studies showed how hackers can get into the controls of some popular vehicles, causing them to suddenly accelerate, turn, kill the brakes, activate the horn, control the headlights, and modify the speedometer and gas gauge readings. Additional concerns came from the rise of navigation and other features that record and send location or driving history information. Senator Markey wanted to know what automobile manufacturers are doing to address these issues and protect drivers.”

Learning Communities: A New Model for Legal Education

Knauer, Nancy J., Learning Communities: A New Model for Legal Education (February 8, 2015). 6 Elon L. Rev. (2015), Forthcoming. Available for download at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2562086 “This article makes the case that learning communities can improve legal education through their unique ability to integrate the three core apprenticeships: theory, practice, and professionalism. They offer students… Continue Reading

CFPB Report Highlights Consumer Frustration Around Reverse Mortgages

“Today the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a report highlighting the top complaints for reverse mortgages. According to the report, consumers are frustrated with their loan terms, servicer runarounds, and foreclosure problems. To help consumers who already have a reverse mortgage, the CFPB is issuing an advisory with tips on how to plan ahead… Continue Reading

Consumers Report Stable Inflation Expectations, Lower Spending Growth Expectations

“The Federal Reserve Bank of New York today released results from its January 2015 Survey of Consumer Expectations (SCE), which provides insight into Americans’ views on inflation, prices, the labor market and household finance. Median consumer inflation expectations were largely unchanged at both the one-year and the three-year ahead horizons at 2.9 percent and 3.0… Continue Reading

Speech by Governor Powell on Audit the Fed and other proposals

Governor Jerome H. Powell At the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, Washington, D.C. February 9, 2015 – “Audit the Fed” and Other Proposals: “It has been a little more than six years since the fall of 2008, when the peak of a severe financial crisis presented the very real threat of a… Continue Reading

Government agencies enable HTTP Strict Transport Security for public websites

Ashkan Soltani, Chief Technologist, FTC: “I’m pleased to announce that the FTC has joined a number of other federal agencies in deploying additional security best practices for our public consumer websites: donotcall.gov, ftccomplaintassistant.gov, and hsr.gov.: ” The websites, which already employ HTTPS encryption, have enabled a feature known as HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) which… Continue Reading