DSARs, facial recognition, and ICE

 Today’s introduction comes from Dylan Berno, our Director of Customer Enablement. Dylan has been here for a short time (just since January!), and he’s already made an impact in how we make our customers’ journeys a success. Read how Marvin Gaye, Kendrick Lamar, and data privacy connect in his story below.

On Sunday, Kendrick Lamar released his latest single, "The Heart Part 5." In the tune, he samples Marvin Gaye's 1976 track "I Want You."

It's notable to music fans because the permission of the Gaye estate holds significant weight. The estate typically does not allow samples (or any infringement as made clear with the Robin Thicke lawsuit). 

There are a lot of business reasons for this type of vigilance, but one that's compelling is the concept of artistic integrity — of controlling personal brand and presence and ultimately commanding the narrative in an era that makes it harder and harder to do so. 

Without knowing if it had any weight in the estate's decision-making, it's also poignant to note that Gaye's "I Want You" holds autobiographical significance as a chronicle of his love for Janis Hunter. Whether or not the tune's personal nature heightens its preciousness, or any stakes concerning its remixes, samples or its recommodification, is unknown.

On the individual level, it's difficult to establish these types of boundaries that protect an intentional online identity in 2022, especially over what is precious to us and the commodification of our very real, yet digital, stories. We're led to believe once it's online, it's fair game. The struggles of artists and musicians aside, it's natural for your average person to cede control over copies, variations, dissemination, and proliferation.

Artistic integrity and the act of commanding the narrative from a past era is an interesting lens through which we can approach the new era of our own online narratives and data protection. 

With a nod to the artistry of Marvin Gaye, what would it mean for each of us to cultivate this type of vigilance and integrity in our own lives, and seek out technology that upholds that agency? 

DSARs and beyond

If you're caught unprepared, complying with #DSARs can be difficult and complicated. Our latest ebook, "DSARs and Beyond," will give you the refresher, background, and framework you need to address these critical requests.

Read the ebook

Clearview AI to stop selling facial recognition tool to private firms

Clearview AI has officially agreed to stop selling its massive face-search database to private companies in the US as part of a settlement agreement with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Illinois. Beyond being the most significant court action against Clearview AI to date, the lawsuit also demonstrates the national power of a single state privacy law.

See Clearview AI’s settlement terms

ICE uses data brokers to bypass surveillance restrictions, report finds

The Georgetown Law Center on Privacy and Technology recently published a report stating that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is using data brokers to gather personal information on hundreds of millions of people in the US. The report, “American Dragnet: Data-Driven Deportation in the 21st Century,” is a result of reviewing “hundreds of freedom of information requests sent to state agencies across the country and more than 100,000 ICE spending contracts.”

Learn about ICE  

Osano is one of Inc. Magazine’s Best Workplaces of 2022

We’re thrilled to see our team recognized. Every individual at Osano virtually shows up to work with creative energy, work ethic, and kindness. If you’re interested in a mission-driven company that puts a premium on culture, we’re hiring in Sales, Product, and Engineering! 

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