This week, the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection has been busy addressing the “Attention Economy,” false income claims, privacy and data security, and a student debt relief scam. On the competition side, the FTC enforced against raising prices for anesthesiology services. These stories, and more, after the jump.
Continue Reading FTC Blog Updates May 19 – May 23, 2025
Register now to join Joanna Rosen Forster, Joachim B. Steinberg, Preetha Chakrabarti, David Ervin, and Warrington Parker on June 11, 2025 from 12:00 pm EDT – 1:00 pm EDT as they discuss Section 230 and the implications for digital platforms, online businesses and e-commerce. Section 230 was enacted as part of the United States Communications Decency Act (CDA), providing immunity to interactive computer service providers for third-party content. Known as “the 26 words that created the internet,” this statute is responsible for the development of the modern internet as we know it.
Recent calls by the DOJ, FTC, FCC, State AGs and even Congressional Leaders to reform, edit or take Section 230 enforcement in new directions signal a potential inflection point. The challenge for policy reform lies in balancing Section 230’s role in protecting online speech and fostering innovation with evolving concerns about platform accountability, consumer protection, and market efficiency in a data-driven economy.
Continue Reading Register Now! Section 230: Implications for Digital Platforms, Online Businesses and E-Commerce Webinar
On April 21, 2025, the FTC filed an enforcement action against Uber alleging that Uber enrolled consumers in Uber One without proper consent, created substantial barriers to cancellation, and misrepresented the financial benefits of the subscription. The claims include violations of the FTC Act—which prohibits unfair and deceptive acts in commerce—and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (“ROSCA”)—which prohibits charging consumers for goods and services sold on the internet through a negative option (i.e., failing to cancel a subscription, unless the seller clearly discloses all material terms of the transaction before obtaining the consumer’s information and obtains the consumer’s expressed informed consent for the charges and provides simple mechanisms for the consumer to stop the recurring charges). Click here to continue reading.
Continue Reading Three-Clicks You’re Out? The FTC’s Action Against Uber Showcases That Businesses Need to Provide Transparent Cancellation Processes
The FTC has remained active in both the antitrust and consumer protection spaces. The agency is seeking public comment about federal regulations that could themselves be harming competition in the economy. The Commission also released data and statistics about common text message scams. And, of course, the agency’s landmark trial against Meta continues. More information on these stories after the jump.
Continue Reading FTC Updates (April 14 – 18, 2025)
On April 3, 2025, the United States Department of Justice’ Antitrust Division hosted a forum on “Big-Tech Censorship” in which key Trump Administration Officials announced their desire to reform, or entirely overhaul, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. In March 2025, we wrote about the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) inquiry into “tech censorship” and
This week the FTC has been busy sending money to consumers harmed by unfair or deceptive business acts or practices. These stories, and more, after the jump.
Continue Reading FTC Blog Updates March 10 – March 14
On March 18th President Trump fired the Federal Trade Commission’s two Democratic Commissioners, Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter. The news broke when Commissioner Bedoya took to the social media site X, stating, “I am a commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission. The president just illegally fired me. This is corruption plain and simple.”
Temporary restraining orders were recently issued against several companies that the FTC alleges deceived consumers. Additionally, the FTC sued to block the acquisition of a medical device coatings manufacturer. These stories, and more, after the jump.
Continue Reading FTC Blog Updates March 3 – March 7
The FTC announces leadership changes, keeps the 2023 Merger Guidelines, and pursues Big Tech. All this, and more, after the jump.
Continue Reading FTC Updates (February 3- 21, 2025)
Key takeaway #1 – The FTC’s request for public comment is a notable sign that the federal government is investigating online content moderation practices.
Key takeaway #2 – Companies should prepare for the possibility of a new legal landscape where content moderation practices face new legal challenges.
On February 20, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission launched an “inquiry” into “tech censorship” by calling for public comments from those who “may have been harmed by technology platforms that limited their ability to share ideas or affiliations freely and openly.” The deadline for comments is May 21, 2025.
While promulgated under the banner of protecting citizens’ rights to speech, this “inquiry” marks the Trump Administration’s first official action to address how businesses edit, moderate, and deliver user generated content online. The repercussions are widesweeping as any business with an online presence—whether selling products, allowing users to post content or commentary—may be at risk of further investigation. This also may be the precursor to changes in law that governs internet activity in the United States.
Continue Reading The FTC’s Request for Public Comment on Online Content Moderation – Are You Ready for a Sea Change?