Ninth Circuit Requires Reasonable Suspicion for Forensic Laptop Searches at the Border

United States v. Cotterman
By Casey Holzapfel ­– Edited by Jessica Vosgerchian

In an en banc decision, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed a decision of the District Court of Arizona suppressing evidence found in a laptop seized by border agents. The Ninth Circuit held that comprehensive searches of electronic devices must meet a standard of reasonable suspicion of criminal activity.

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Zynga and EA Reach Settlement over Zynga’s “The Ville”
By Casey Holzapfel – Edited by Andrew Crocker

The Chicago Tribune reports that Electronic Arts (EA) and Zynga have reached a settlement agreement regarding competing lawsuits in the Northern District of California. While the details of the settlement were not made public, both parties agreed to drop their respective lawsuits and pay their own legal fees. According to red Orbit, the settlement does not involve compensation from either company.

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Judges Approves Google’s $22.5 Million Settlement with FTC for Safari Privacy Violation

United States v. Google, Inc.
By Casey Holzapfel – Edited by Charlie Stiernberg

The United States District Court for the Northern District of California approved a proposed consent order between the United States and Google that requires Google to pay a $22.5 million civil penalty. Amicus curiae Consumer Watchdog was granted leave to submit a brief challenging the stipulated consent order, after it was filed in August. District Judge Susan Illston was not persuaded by Consumer Watchdog’s brief, however, and rejected its challenge.

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Unites States v. Magana By Casey Holzapfel – Edited by Geng Chen United States v. Magana, No. 12-CR-154 (E.D. Wis. Oct. 29, 2012) Order United States v. Mendoza, No. 12-CR-154 (WCG/WEC) (E.D. Wis. Oct. 9, 2012) Recommendation The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin ruled that Wisconsin law enforcement officers did not violate the Fourth Amendment when they installed hidden surveillance cameras on private property without a warrant. Judge William Griesbach accepted the recommendation of Magistrate ... Read More...