Google faces fines throughout Europe

Data Protection Agencies (DPAs) in six European countries, including the UK and the Netherlands, have opened investigations into Google for its handling of user data since the introduction of company guidelines two years ago. The Dutch DPA has reportedly ordered Google to start seeking consent or face fines of up to €15 million. Meanwhile, Google's French subsidiary has been ordered by the Paris Tribunal de Grande Instance to pay daily fines of €1,000 unless links to a defamatory article are removed from the parent company's entire global network, based on the "right to be forgotten".

Cyber-attack causes massive damage to German steel plant

The German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) has revealed that there was a damaging cyber-attack on a German steel plant's ICS and furnace. The BSI reported that the hackers first attacked the office network and from there the production networks. These attacks caused the failure of the numerous control components which affected the regulation of the blast furnace and led to "massive damage to machinery".

Technology companies continue to leave Russia as internet restrictions bite

Following Adobe System's decision to shut down its Russian office, Google is the latest company to announce that it is existing Russia due to growing restrictions on internet freedoms. One such restriction is a law to come into effect next year, which requires foreign firms to store Russian users' personal data on servers located in Russia. While the Russian authorities say it will improve data protection, critics claim that it is designed to make it harder for US companies to operate in the country.

US Congress passes four cyber-security bills

Following a series of votes in the House and Senate last week, the US Congress approved four cyber-security bills, largely focused on the structures and procedures of the federal agencies that supervise national cyber-security. One significant feature is the codification of the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Centre, which provides a platform for the government and private sector to share information about cyber threats, incident response and technical assistance.

Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner leads on mobile app privacy regulation

Last week, in a motion initiated by the Hong Kong Privacy Commissioner, 21 privacy enforcement authorities around the world published an open letter to seven of the world's leading app marketplaces, urging them to make app privacy policies available to users prior to downloading. The letter follows a May 2014 study in which 85% of the apps surveyed failed to clearly explain how they were collecting, using and disclosing personal information.

Australian Information Commissioner releases report into FOI processing

Following an investigation which opened in October in response to negative trends identified in the processing of freedom of information (FOI) requests, the Australian Information Commissioner released an investigation report this week. The Commissioner stated that the focus on improving technical compliance had unintended consequences, inconsistent with pro-disclosure objectives. The investigation made thirteen recommendations to promote a pro-disclosure culture; simplify the FOI experience for customers; and improve administration of the practical refusal process.

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