TechnTTechnechnololologoogygyy What ’s Privacy Changes Mean For Attorneys Review Policies for Every Website or Service Where Client Data is Stored

BY Daniel J. Siegel

rivacy. It seems almost of March 1, all of that changed, when your boss to know about) listed on your anachronistic when it Google’s new policies went into effect. Google or Android calendar may be comes to the Internet. After For lawyers, these new policies mean more “public.” As PCWorld explains: P all, there are “cookies,” that how they use Google might also “While some users may welcome computer crumbs that websites place change. As Google explained: the new changes and the potential onto your computer so that they can “The main change is for users added benefits they may provide, track your every move. Otherwise, with Google Accounts. Our new others, including privacy experts services like ’s 1-Click ordering Privacy Policy makes clear that, if and regulators, are voicing concern wouldn’t even exist. Although online over the changes. The biggest privacy seems to be a thing of the sticking point is that Google does past, for lawyers, it can’t be. After not appear to have an opt-out all, if we store information online, we “Our new Privacy option for the new way your data still have an obligation to our clients will be handled. Instead, if you to protect their privacy, an obligation Policy makes clear have a Google account, your data that appears to be more challenging that, if you’re signed will be combined to deliver these every day. new services to you – whether you Consider Google – the biggest in, we may combine like it or not. . . . One example of the big on the Internet. It seems Google gives is that it could use that everyone uses Google. Some information you’ve your data to alert you if you’re people use the search engine, others likely to be late for a meeting. the maps, some its GoogleDocs, provided from one Google would do this comparing and others have taken to Google+, service with information a scheduled meeting in your Google’s “answer” to . calendar with your location, based And every time you use Google, you from other services.” on information from your Android are subject to its “Privacy Policy.” phone combined with local traffic That’s why the recent announcement data. The company said it could that Google is revamping its roughly you’re signed in, we may combine also use your information to give 60 different privacy policies (yes, that information you’ve provided from you better spelling suggestions should give you an idea of how many one service with information from in products such as Gmail and sites and services Google owns), which other services. In short, we’ll Docs. You could also have a more varied from one of its sites to another, treat you as a single user across intuitive search experience that can and creating one policy that applies all our products, which will mean parse whether you mean an animal across the board, caused a massive a simpler, more intuitive Google (or a car) brand when you search for reaction across the web, not all of it experience.” jaguar.” positive. But all changes are not necessarily Kevin Drum at Mother Jones In the past, Google users were good. For attorneys, this means that some explained that, as Google admits, one supposed to know that each Google information, such as client meetings (or of the key purposes of the change is site might use their data differently. As that new job interview you didn’t want to permit it to “provide more relevant

42 the philadelphia lawyer Spring 2012 Tech briefs Solos, Small Firms Get Online Boost from ABA

The American Bar Association is offering assistance for the nation’s largest law practice demographic with its new online Solo and Small Firm Resource Center.

“Solo and small firm practitioners Widely used products in the survey have unique needs because they don’t included , used by 60.9 always have the same resources as percent of respondents; Dropbox, large firms,” ABA President William used by 25 percent of respondents; T. Robinson III said. “We are therefore iCloud, seeing high adoption at 15 excited to launch the ABA Solo and percent; and Android phones with Small Firm Resource Center for all usage at 13 percent. Evernote, a note- lawyers, free of charge, to level the taking app not included in last year’s playing field with online information survey, debuted at 14 percent usage. for lawyers in small practice settings.” OpenOffice had gained 2 percentage points since last year, showing that Of American lawyers in private open source technology is appealing to ads;” of course, the only way to target practice, about 70 percent work in solo and small law firms. Clio showed solo offices or law firms with 20 or better advertising is to know what users a 22 percent adoption rate, more than fewer members. It is estimated that the double the 2010 adoption rate. are searching for (for client research, for United States has about 435,000 solo example) or saving in their calendars, law practitioners (comprising about Why are lawyers continuing to “go documents and Android devices (which 48 percent of private-practice lawyers) Mac”? Nearly half (46.5 percent) of now account for approximately 48 and about 200,000 lawyers in firms of respondents said they chose Apple percent of the smart phone market). Thus, between two and 20 lawyers (about 22 hardware over PC options because Drum’s skepticism: percent of lawyers in private practice). the technology was more reliable and “If Google can change its privacy secure. Usability was on at 33.8 The Solo and Small Firm Resource percent. Familiarity due to home use of policy today, it can change it Center provides online articles, CLE tomorrow. And it will. No company Apple/Mac products was 9.8 percent, programming, a discussion list for and surprisingly aesthetics and design is an unstoppable juggernaut forever, solo and small firm lawyers and other came in fourth at only 3 percent. and Google is already showing signs information from groups throughout of becoming an ordinary corporation the ABA, including the ABA General More than 75 percent of law students that has to scrap for profits just Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division said that when they graduate, they plan and Law Practice Management like everyone else. This is what’s on choosing a Mac platform for their Section. The website offers practice office. This statistic shows that Mac motivating their policy change this management advice, business week, and someday it’s likely to has a bright future in legal, since the development strategies, career new generation graduating is heavily motivate them to sell my personal guidance, advice for handling problem Apple-oriented. information after all. cases and clients, technology reviews, It won’t be mandatory, of course. networking events and more. The survey aimed to determine to If I want to close my Google what extent lawyers and law students The Solo and Small Firm Resource are now using Apple products, and accounts, they’ll let me. But if I use Center can be accessed at ambar.org/ an Android smartphone – and this is whether there is clear evidence of an soloandsmallfirms. increasing trend of the legal industry plainly one of the primary targets of “going Mac” in the future. Google’s new policy – that will be pretty hard. And after years of using Clio said 763 people participated in Google products like Gmail and Apple Products Popular in the survey, 80 percent of which were YouTube, it’s not as easy as it sounds Small Law Firms, Survey practicing lawyers and 20 percent to simply export all your data and Finds of which were law students or non- move to a new platform. In reality, lawyers. Seventy-six percent of respondents were lawyers at firms with very few people will do this. Google 10 attorneys or less. One-fourth of the is counting on the fact that they’ll Apple products are going strong and gaining ground with small firm lawyers survey respondents were relative Mac grumble a bit, like I’m doing, and at the expense of previously dominant newcomers, having switched to Mac then get on with their lives.” legal technology players, according within the past year. For lawyers, what does all this mean? to the Apple in Law Firms Survey by It means that, to assure confidentiality, Clio. attorneys and law firms must review the

the philadelphia lawyer Spring 2012 43 Google Privacy Policy, as well as similar policies for every other Creating a Zinio account is free, and the program allows you website or service where client data is stored, and determine to read a wide range of newspapers, magazines and other whether the site is appropriate for storing the information. If publications, some for free, others by subscription or individual they don’t, and client data is revealed to the web, just go to purchase. Google News and figure out what happens next. Google Goggles (Android): Ever see a piece of art, a So What Apps Are On Your photograph or some other item you iPad, iPhone, SmartPhone can’t identify? Just scan the item or Tablet? with Google Goggles, and find out That’s the name of a new feature everything you would ever want to in The Philadelphia Lawyer, where “If I want to close my know about the object. It’s simple, you can send us an email (send it to Google accounts, they’ll and it’s free. [email protected]) highlighting Verizon iD (For Verizon Mobile the app or apps you are using and let me. But if I use an Devices): If you have ever heard why, so that other readers can get a song, and didn’t remember the the most out of their devices. To Android smartphone – name or the artist, you know how start things off, here are a few of my frustrating and distracting it can be favorites: and this is plainly one until (or if) you figure it out. With Amazon Apps (Appstore) of the primary targets Verizon iD, just let your phone listen (Android): This app is a great to the music, and you’ll have your place to start. Run by Amazon, the of Google’s new policy answer in a few seconds; then you offers a wide selection can go back to work, or whatever of free and paid apps for Android – that will be pretty else you were doing. devices. But perhaps the best aspect So, what apps do you use? What of the app is that every day, you can hard.” app distracts you from client work obtain some terrific apps for free. (oops, that’s not supposed to happen)? Among the paid apps that have been Or what app helps you deliver better offered gratis are client services? Whatever your (Full Version), OfficeSuite Pro 5 and Pro, each pleasure, let us know by emailing tplmag@philadelphiabar. of which allows you to work with documents and other items org. We look forward to hearing from you. created with Office. In addition, you can download great apps like TuneIn Radio Pro and others. And of course, Daniel J. Siegel ([email protected]), editor-in-chief of The lots of games. Philadelphia Lawyer, is a local attorney who operates the Law Offices Zinio (all formats): Originally a downloadable program, of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC and is the president of Integrated Technology Zinio has created apps for virtually every platform and device. Services, LLC.

44 the philadelphia lawyer Spring 2012 Tech UPDATE

Sony Tablet S Apple New iPad Apple’s new iPad, introduced March 7, figures to continue the success of what many consider to be the best available to consumers. ’s highly regarded Tablet S runs on the Android system and boasts a 5-megapixel camera and stereo speakers.

Features S Apple New iPad

Display 9.4 inch TFT active matrix 9.7 inch retina display

Operating system Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS 5.1

Dimensions 9.5” x 0.3” x 6.8” 9.5” x 0.37” x 7.31”

Weight 1.3 pounds 1.44 pounds

Camera Rear-facing 5 megapixels 5 megapixel iSight

16GB (32gb model also 16GB (32gb and 64gb models also available) available)

Battery life Up to 31 hours 10 hours

Wireless Connectivity 2.1 EDR, Wi-Fi Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G LTE

Processor 1 GHz 2 Dual Core Apple A5X

PRICE $399.99 $499

the philadelphia lawyer Spring 2012 45