The FTC finalized a consent order against Blackbaud Inc. for alleged security failures that led to a data breach exposing personal data of millions of consumers. Blackbaud must delete unnecessary data, implement a security program, and not misrepresent its policies. No monetary penalty was imposed.
Blackbaud is required to delete data it no longer needs, develop a comprehensive information security program, establish a data retention schedule, refrain from misrepresenting data security and retention policies, and notify the FTC of future data breaches.
In-house legal teams should review all vendor agreements where Blackbaud is a data processor or service provider (e.g., SaaS, fundraising, financial software contracts) and any customer-facing data processing agreements. Key clauses to scrutinize include data security obligations, breach notification timelines and procedures, data retention and deletion requirements, representations regarding security practices, and indemnification provisions. Given the order's focus on data minimization and deletion of unnecessary data, contracts may need amendments to explicitly require data minimization, mandate encryption of sensitive data (like SSNs and bank accounts), establish clear incident response protocols, and prohibit misrepresentations about security. Teams should also assess audit rights to verify compliance and ensure notification clauses align with the 'without unreasonable delay' standard implied by the FTC's criticism of Blackbaud's two-month delay.
Entity
Blackbaud Inc.
Also known as: Blackbaud
Industry
TechnologyOfficial Press Release
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/05/ftc-finalizes-order-blackbaud-related-allegations-firms-security-failures-led-data-breach
2023181 blackbaud final consent package
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/2023181_blackbaud_final_consent_package.pdf
ftc order will require blackbaud delete unnecessary data boo
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/02/ftc-order-will-require-blackbaud-delete-unnecessary-data-boost-safeguards-settle-charges-its-lax
Federal Trade Commission Enforcement Page
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement
"Blackbaud Inc."
"failed to implement appropriate safeguards to secure and protect the vast amounts of personal data it collects"
"allowed a hacker to breach the company’s network and access the personal data of millions of consumers including Social Security and bank account numbers."
"The company waited nearly two months to notify its customers about the breach and then misled consumers about the extent of the data that was stolen."
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$106.8M
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The FTC sued Digital Forensics Corporation LLC and affiliated defendants, alleging they misled sextortion victims with promises of investigative and monitoring services that often were not provided, and used fake positive reviews. A federal court granted the FTC’s request to temporarily halt the defendants’ activities; the complaint remains for the court to decide.
The FTC alleged that Greenway Auto Group advertised vehicle prices thousands of dollars below the amounts consumers actually paid and used mailers falsely suggesting recipients had won cash prizes. Greenway agreed to an order requiring transparent pricing and prohibiting deceptive prize mailers and other misrepresentations; the press release does not state a monetary penalty.