Doug Olenick

Former News Editor, ISMG

Olenick has covered the cybersecurity and computer technology sectors for more than 25 years. Prior to his stint as ISMG as news editor, Olenick was online editor for SC Media, where he covered every aspect of the cybersecurity industry and managed the brand's online presence. Earlier, he worked at TWICE - This Week in Consumer Electronics - for 15 years. He also has contributed to Forbes.com, TheStreet and Mainstreet.

Facebook's WhatsApp Hit With $266 Million GDPR Fine

Doug Olenick • September 3, 2021

Ireland's privacy law enforcer, the Data Protection Commission, has hit WhatsApp with a 225 million euro ($266 million) fine, finding that it violated the EU's General Data Protection Regulation in part by not telling users how it was sharing their data with parent company Facebook.

Amazon Hit With $885 Million GDPR Fine

Doug Olenick • July 30, 2021

Amazon reports that it's been fined 746 million euros ($885 million) under the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation for violating privacy rights in its advertising program. The company says it plans to appeal.

533 Million Facebook Account Records Posted to Forum

Doug Olenick • April 4, 2021

A security researcher found more than 500 million Facebook records being offered for free on the darknet, exposing basic user information, including any phone numbers associated with the accounts. Facebook says this is “old data” previously reported as exposed.

Federal Privacy Bill Reintroduced in Congress

Doug Olenick • March 15, 2021

U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash, has reintroduced a bill that would create a national-wide data privacy standard that in its latest incarnation makes an attempt to placate Republicans. The bill, if passed, would replace a patchwork of current state laws.

Twitter Fined $547,000 Under GDPR for 2018 Data Breach

Doug Olenick • December 15, 2020

For the first time, a U.S. technology firm has been fined under the EU's General Data Protection Regulation. Ireland's Data Protection Commission on Tuesday hit social media giant Twitter with a $547,000 fine for failing to report and document a data breach within 72 hours, as required under GDPR.

California Voters Pass Prop. 24 Amending CCPA

Doug Olenick • November 5, 2020

California voters passed Proposition 24, the California Privacy Rights Act, on Nov. 3, which expands upon the recently activated California Consumer Privacy Act specifically when it comes to enforcement and how businesses handle personal data.

British Airways' GDPR Fine Dramatically Reduced

Doug Olenick • October 16, 2020

Britain's Information Commissioner's Office announced this week a dramatic reduction in its fine against British Airways for violating the EU's General Data Protection Regulation. The company will pay a $26 million fine instead of $238 million in a case tied to a 2018 breach.

French Court Upholds $56 Million Google GDPR Fine

Doug Olenick • June 22, 2020

France's top court has upheld a $56 million fine against Google for violating the EU's General Data Protection Regulation with its advertising personalization model that lacked adequate user consent measures. The fine is the biggest yet for a GDPR privacy policy violation.