Insights

In an era where personal information flows through countless digital channels, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has proposed a sweeping rule to rein in the burgeoning data broker industry. This initiative seeks to impose stricter accountability under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), ensuring that consumer data is shared only for legitimate purposes and safeguarding sensitive information like Social Security numbers and income data from misuse.

In today’s hyper-connected world, businesses rarely operate in isolation. Instead, they form part of intricate webs of suppliers, vendors, and third-party partners. These extended enterprise relationships offer a wealth of opportunities—streamlined operations, cost efficiencies, and specialization—but they also come with inherent risks. Managing these risks effectively requires a firm commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, operational resilience, and robust compliance strategies.

At the 27th Annual Symposium on Building the Financial System of the 21st Century, Federal Reserve Governor Michelle W. Bowman addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector. Speaking to an audience of industry professionals and regulators, Bowman emphasized the importance of striking a delicate balance between fostering innovation and ensuring the stability of the financial system.

In the high-stakes world of energy, a cyberattack isn’t just a technical failure—it’s a business disruption. And for Halliburton, one of the largest oilfield services companies globally, that disruption came at a hefty price. In August 2024, the company was hit by a ransomware attack linked to the notorious RansomHub group, leading to a significant financial loss that’s being felt in both immediate and long-term ways.

Earlier this month, Maersk released a report indicating that three out of four shippers operating in Europe have dealt with disruptions in their supply chain over the past 12 months. Even more alarming is that more than half of those affected are experiencing a serious impact on costs.

The Hague Court of Appeal delivered its judgment last Tuesday in the closely watched appeal between Shell and Friends of the Earth Netherlands (Milieudefensie). While the court reaffirmed that Shell is responsible for reducing its carbon emissions, it concluded that the company should not be bound by a specific reduction rate.

Southeast Asia is rapidly emerging as a digital powerhouse, with its booming markets and growing data center infrastructure attracting the attention of global tech giants. But as this region strengthens its digital economy, it’s also tightening its grip on data protection. Countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia are overhauling their data protection laws, which could bring both opportunities and challenges for businesses—especially those looking to expand in these fast-growing markets.