Penalty Amount
$25,000
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs obtained a consent decree against Jeremy Rubin, developer of Tidbit Bitcoin-mining software, for accessing New Jersey computers without users' knowledge or consent. The settlement includes a suspended $25,000 monetary penalty and prohibits future unauthorized access, requiring clear notification and verifiable consent.
Rubin is prohibited from accessing or attempting to access New Jerseyans' computers without clearly and conspicuously notifying the owners and obtaining their verifiable consent. The $25,000 monetary settlement is suspended and will be automatically vacated within two years if he complies with the terms.
In-house legal teams should review vendor agreements where their company acts as a software provider (like Tidbit) to web developers or other downstream users. Focus on clauses governing data processing, computer resource access, user consent mechanisms, and compliance representations. Specific clauses to scrutinize include: (1) data processing terms authorizing use of end-user device resources; (2) consent and notification requirements for end-users; (3) audit rights and compliance certifications from downstream users; and (4) indemnification provisions for unauthorized access claims. Changes may be needed to mandate clear, conspicuous end-user notification and verifiable consent before any processing power access, require downstream users to maintain compliant privacy policies, and add termination rights for non-compliance with access restrictions.
Entity
Jeremy Rubin
Industry
TechnologyOfficial Press Release
https://www.njoag.gov/new-jersey-division-of-consumer-affairs-obtains-settlement-with-developer-of-bitcoin-mining-software-found-to-have-accessed-new-jersey-computers-without-users-knowledge-or-consent-2/
New Jersey Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-consumer-affairs/
"Jeremy Rubin, a Massachusetts resident"
"$25,000 monetary settlement"
"New Jersey’s Computer Related Offenses Act"
"Consumer Fraud Act"
"without the computer owners’ knowledge or consent"
$18.0M
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general in announcing a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations from a 2023 data breach that compromised genetic data of 6.9 million people worldwide, including nearly 150,000 in New Jersey. The settlement provides $18 million to states from available bankruptcy funds, plus enhanced data security and consumer deletion rights for the successor entity, 23andMe Research Institute.
$45.0M
Block, Inc. agreed to a $45 million multistate settlement with 46 states for allegedly misleading consumers about the safety of Cash App, failing to protect users from fraud, and not providing promised fraud protection. The settlement requires Block to improve customer support, stop misleading claims, and educate consumers about fraud.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 49 attorneys general in calling on the FCC to strengthen rules to cut off scammers' access to legitimate telephone numbers. The coalition's letter requests stronger certification rules, regular reporting, and prohibitions on number cycling to combat illegal robocalls.
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The New Jersey Bureau of Securities announced its 2026 annual investment adviser examination, with a particular focus on firms' use of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity protocols. The examination requires nearly 800 registered investment adviser firms to answer questions about AI use in portfolio management, data protection policies, and third-party vendor due diligence. Failure to comply may result in administrative action.
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