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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.

April 03, 2019 - Regulatory, Blockchain, European Union, Financings, Fintech
FCA Guidance on UK Crypto-Assets Regulation
The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority published draft guidance on the circumstances in which crypto-assets will fall within its regulatory perimeter and has invited comments and feedback on the draft guidance by 5 April 2019. In particular, it explains how it divides crypto-tokens into
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April 02, 2019 - Regulatory
CFIUS’s Axe to Grind: China’s Kunlun Reportedly Forced to Divest Grindr Amid Concerns Over Sensitive Personal Data
By: Charles L. Capito
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) is reportedly forcing Beijing Kunlun Tech Co. Ltd. (“Kunlun”) to divest Grindr LLC (“Grindr”), the dating app Kunlun acquired in 2016. Much of the popular press is focusing on the seemingly remote connection between
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April 01, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security
FTC Releases 2018 Privacy and Data Security Update Report
By: Julie O'Neill
With privacy and data security issues dominating headlines over the past year, the Federal Trade Commission – the Nation’s top privacy watchdog – has had its hands full. The FTC’s recently released 2018 “Privacy and Data Security Update” reflects this flurry of activity. The report provides
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March 29, 2019 - Artificial Intelligence
Employment Practices and Future Technologies - Taking the Human Out of Human Resources
The machines are taking over. Not always apparent, but Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are finding footholds in numerous industries. One area in which AI is rapidly on the rise relates to employment practices and employee control. But before embracing the future,
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March 28, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security
California Seeks to Strengthen Tough Privacy Laws
By: Purvi G. Patel
If you thought California’s privacy laws couldn’t get any tougher, think again. The California Legislature has proposed amendments to the California Consumer Privacy Act and additional privacy bills that could expand businesses’ privacy and data security obligations and heighten liability for noncompliance. These proposals confirm
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March 05, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security
Thank You, Next Enforcement: Music Video App Violates COPPA, Will Pay $5.7 Million
By: Julie O'Neill
The cost for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), intended to ensure parents are informed about, and can control, the online collection of personal information (PI) from their children under age thirteen, has been steadily rising, and companies subject to the law
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February 27, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security, European Union
The Cookie Wall Must Go Up. Or Not?
By: Alex van der Wolk and Mercedes Samavi
One of the next big items in Europe will be the expansion of “ePrivacy,” (which, among other things, regulates the use of cookies on websites). While the ePrivacy reform is still being worked on by EU lawmakers, one of the items the ePrivacy Regulation
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February 26, 2019 - Artificial Intelligence
Federal Government Expansion and Application of Artificial Intelligence Technologies
By: Tina D. Reynolds
By all accounts 2019 will bring significant expansion in the use and development of artificial intelligence (AI) by the U.S. federal government. Notwithstanding some well-publicized rejections by industry of the use of their AI technologies for offensive military and surveillance applications, the federal government
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February 21, 2019 - Privacy + Data Security, Litigation
A Complete About-Face: Courts Disagree on Harm Requirement Under Biometric Privacy Law
By: Julie O'Neill
A recent decision indicates that failure to comply with the Illinois biometric privacy law may expose businesses to significant liability, even where there has been no actual harm to the plaintiffs. Can a user of a cloud-based photo-sharing and storage service sue the provider
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February 14, 2019 - Blockchain, Financings, Fintech
Tokenization + the SEC – Part 1
Dario de Martino discusses the real possibilities and opportunities around security tokens, from a business standpoint, the legal perspective, and from a retail investor point of view. Topics include: What are the advantages of tokenizing securities? How do Securities laws work generally in the
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