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Welcome to the MoFo Tech Blog

MoFo Tech brings together legal insights and in-depth analyses on trends and complex issues shaping the global technology industry, covering fields such as blockchain and distributed ledger, cloud and SaaS technologies, driverless cars, drones, FinTech, computer hardware and software, the IoT, semiconductors, and telecommunications.

July 23, 2019 - Tech Talks, European Union, Financings, Fintech
Financial Services Technology Outsourcing: The UK Regulators Flex Their Muscles
By: Alistair Maughan and Sana Ashcroft
It’s all very well to issue regulatory guidance – but it’s what you do to enforce it that really counts. The UK financial services regulatory agencies have imposed fines exceeding $2 million on a UK bank that did not implement enough oversight on an
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July 15, 2019 - Regulatory, Blockchain, Fintech
First Token Offering Qualified by the SEC Under Regulation A
By: John T. Owen, Alfredo B. D. Silva and Dylan Kelsey Naughton
On July 10, 2019, Blockstack Token LLC (“Blockstack”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blockstack PBC, a Delaware public benefit corporation, became the first company to have an offering of digital assets qualified by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under Regulation A. Blockstack is
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July 09, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security, European Union
The CNIL Strikes Again – Mind Your Security
By: Alex van der Wolk
The French data protection authority, the CNIL, continues to fine organizations for failing to adopt what the CNIL considers to be fundamental data security measures. In May 2019, the CNIL imposed a EUR 400,000 fine on a French real estate company for failing to
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July 02, 2019 - Artificial Intelligence + Robotics, Financings, Fintech
Policy Makers Examine the Disparate Impact Risk of Artificial Intelligence and Underwriting
By: Rick Fischer
Recent Congressional activity reflects increasing concern in the fair lending implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in credit underwriting. Congress and regulatory agencies are likely to press financial services providers to better understand the AI they use and to ensure that its use does not result
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July 01, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security, Asia
Singapore Shakes Up Privacy: 72-Hour Breach Notice, New Guidance
By: Saqib Alam
The Singapore Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) has had a busy year and shows no signs of slowing down. In January 2019, the PDPC handed down a record SGD 1 million enforcement related to the SingHealth data breach – a breach that resulted from
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June 14, 2019 - European Union
Highest EU Court: Skype is a Regulated Telecommunications Service – Gmail is Not
By: Andreas Grünwald and Christoph Nüßing
In two long-awaited decisions handed down yesterday and last week, respectively, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) had the opportunity to decide the fate of online or “over-the-top” (OTT) communications services under European telecommunications law – but it left several key questions unresolved In
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June 12, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security
Nevada Enacts CCPA-Style Opt-Out Right for Consumers—but Similarities Are Few
By: Julie O'Neill and Max Phillip Zidel
Nevada just joined California as the second state to enact an opt-out right for consumers from the “sale” of their personal information. Senate Bill 220, which was signed into law on May 29, 2019, is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2019, three months
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June 11, 2019 - Blockchain
You're Invited - The State of Blockchain
Morrison & Foerster is hosting a blockchain panel discussion and reception at Tank18 on Thursday, June 20, 2019 in San Francisco. During the panel discussion, thought leaders will share how they are preparing themselves and their organizations for broader integration of blockchain technology. We
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June 07, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security
Nevada Privacy Law: Considerations for Financial Institutions
By: Nathan D. Taylor
Nevada recently became the first state to follow California’s lead and enact legislation that includes privacy obligations similar to those that will be imposed by the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). Specifically, on May 29, 2019, the Nevada Governor signed into law Senate Bill 220 (“SB 220”), amending
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June 06, 2019 - Asia, Mergers + Acquisitions
Japan Is Tightening Regulations Applicable to Foreign Direct Investment in the Information and Communications Technology Sector
By: Mitsutoshi Uchida, Fumihiko Hori and Shotaro Maruyama
On May 27, 2019, the Japanese government published amended rules that aim to tighten the regulatory requirements applicable to foreign direct investment ( tai nai chokusetsu toshi or FDI) under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act of Japan ( gaitame ho , or
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