NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced May 22 that Safetech Products LLC and owner Ryan Hyde have agreed to settle allegations of selling insecure wireless door and padlocks.
Hyde’s company sells Bluetooth-enabled door and padlocks online. These locks purported to guarantee users the ability to protect personal belongings by turning closets and rooms of their homes into secure areas. Schneiderman’s office said, however, that the company failed to properly secure passwords and other security information for the operation of these locks. This means that the locks were susceptible to hacking and theft.
“Today’s settlement with Safetech marks the first time an Attorneys General’s Office has taken legal action against a wireless security company for failing to protect their customer’s personal and private information,” Schneiderman said. “Companies employing new technologies must implement and promote good security practices and ensure that their products are secure, including through the use of encryption. Together, with the help of companies like Safetech, we can safeguard against breaches and illegal intrusions on our private data.”
As per the settlement agreement, the defendants must properly encrypt all passwords and security information and develop a written comprehensive security program.
Handling the case for New York was Bureau of Internet and Technology deputy bureau chief Clark Russell under the supervision of bureau chief Kathleen McGee.