• According to a current study by Bank of America, Americans are very closely attached to their smartphones. Of those surveyed, 85 percent said they check their phone at least a few times a day and 35 percent say they check it constantly. 47 percent of Americans say they couldn't last more than one day without their phone. And, perhaps most worrisome, Millennials between ages 18 to 24 view their mobile phone as more important to their daily lives than even deodorant or their toothbrush . . . .
  • The Uniform Law Commission has embraced the Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, which, to the extent adopted by states, would give grieving families immediate access to a deceased family member's online accounts, unless the deceased family member specified otherwise in a will.  Privacy advocates have expressed skepticism regarding the initiative.
  • In a break from past practice, the New York Police Department has begun to embrace social media, giving its precinct commanders "relatively free rein" in using Twitter. Top brass hopes to spur greater sharing of information and to engage the public in a dialogue regarding police business.

Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.

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