CPCC to host German delegation

The Central Piedmont Community College will welcome a high-ranking delegation next week from Karlsruhe, Germany.

Click here to read the Charlotte Oberserver article!

from wikipedia.org

Technology & Employees Colliding Yet Again

Sales Exec sues Company: Claims she was fired for removing app that allowed boss to track her 24/7 

BridgehouseLaw partner Nicole Murphey regularly gives lectures to HR executives and employers on this issue and other technology concerns in the workplace.

Recent events were at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and the Charlotte City Club.   

Her next presentation of “When Technology & Employees Collide” will be on May 19 at Central Piedmont Community College (private event).    

 

If you would like to join our upcoming June presentation, please contact Henriette Morton.

IT-compliance requirements on the rise

BridgehouseLaw Germany is hosting a seminar on IT-compliance, including risks and requirements under German law, and tools for transnational IT-compliance, on

Thursday, 28^th May 2015, 1 pm -6:30 pm
at the BridgehouseLaw Germany Cologne Office,
Habsburgerring 2, 50674 Cologne, Germany

Professional use of IT, telecommunications and what was once called “new media” has become a necessity or even business critical for most enterprises. In order to remain or become leaders in competitive environments, businesses face increasing demand to interact electronically with their employees, business partners, and authorities. At the same time, however, those exact channels of communication are subject to an ever increasing number of attacks, be it by hackers, industrial espionage or a disgruntled employee.

Due to this development, businesses can no longer rely on a single line of defense at the internet firewall, if outside attacks may overcome such defenses with relatively simple techniques such as “social engineering.” Furthermore, legal requirements with regard to IT-compliance are constantly adapted to new threats.

This seminar aims to look at possible angles of attack, the resulting legal requirements established for enterprises doing business in Germany, and the possibilities to use software-based compliance tools.

The seminar will be in German language, but is also suitable for businesses entering the German market. All participants interested in recent (legal) developments in IT-compliance in Germany are most welcome.

           

          

NC Lawmakers Consider Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants

A proposal for a state law that would grant driving privileges to immigrants living in NC illegally made it through a NC House judiciary committee on April 15, 2015.

Out of the estimated 325,000 people living illegally in North Carolina, approximately 90,000 to 110,000 are of driving age. Under the proposal, immigrants may apply for a restricted driver's permit. The applicant must consent to a criminal background check, pass a written and road test conducted by the DMV. The applicant must also agree to be fingerprinted and provide information on their legal status. That information could not be used to seek deportation or be released from confidential files, unless required by the law.

This driver's license/ ID would be valid for one year and could not be used to vote, board a plane, obtain public assistance or enter a federal building.

Supporters of the bill say it would lead to safer roads and ensure that all drivers had insurance. Critics see this measure as another step toward encouraging immigrants to illegally settling in North Carolina.  

The 'Highway Safety/ Citizens Protection Act' still needs to be reviewed by other committees, finance among them, before it go up for vote before the House.

Anti-Trust charges filed against Google

On April 15, 2015, the European Union (EU) filed antitrust charges against tech giant Google, Inc., alleging that the company favors its own products in search results over its rivals' services. The complaint is based on allegations from competitors that Google diverts web traffic from competitors' rivals to its own comparison-shopping site.

The EU also opened a formal antitrust investigation into Google's Android smartphone software after complaints arose that Google abused its dominant position (it currently controls an estimated 81% market share of smartphone operating systems) by pre-installing its own apps and services onto Android smartphones which gave Google preferential treatment over its rivals.

The article indicates that should Google fail to respond to the complaint, the EU could levy a fine that could exceed €6 billion which is an estimated 10% of Google's most recent annual revenue. In addition to the fine, the lawsuit signals a more aggressive expansion by EU regulators in investigating how American tech companies operate in Europe.

Google has not responded to the suit and maintains that it operates within all applicable laws.