This program will explore the risks that are hidden beneath the surface of some of the most commonly used website technologies on the internet.

Many companies with a significant online presence routinely use a host of different back-end tools, features, and software on their websites for marketing, analytics, and optimization purposes. These seemingly innocuous everyday tools appear to be widely accepted as the norm and are universally employed without any nefarious intent. However, these commonplace technologies carry significant litigation risks of which clients are often unaware. Unbeknownst to the website operators, the tools that have become a core part of their operations, or worse, have been left in use without returning any tangible benefit, can create liability for potential data misuse in violation of a variety of state and federal data privacy laws. 

Participants will learn how to identify the relevant technologies and how they work, gain understanding of the features that present risk, and learn best practices for risk mitigation. Participants will also learn how these risks manifest into significant lawsuits, exposing companies to millions of dollars in liability and potential class action exposure. Attendees will learn about the specific types of claims that are brought by plaintiff’s counsel, how those claims are prosecuted, how defense counsel approaches defending those claims, and how insurance carriers are reacting to cyber claims trends. 

Wilson Sonsini partner Tony Weibell will serve as a panelist for the program, “Current and Future Litigation Trends Arising From the Use of Website Technologies” at 11:00 am ET.