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Federal Trade Commission
The building of the Federal Trade Commission in downtown Washington DC.

The FTC’s activity this week centers around data analysis. The agency released reports analyzing Bitcoin ATM scam data, followed by a report compiling issues with income disclosure statements from multi-level marketing (“MLM”) businesses. The Commission also sent a report to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on its activity related to fighting debt collection-related fraud against consumers. More information on these stories after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (September 2-6, 2024)

Federal Trade Commission
The building of the Federal Trade Commission in downtown Washington DC.

Call it the summer of junk fees and drip pricing. In July, California’s new drip pricing law went into effect and in August the federal government announced further proposed rules into junk fees and subscription services. Regulators say these proposed price transparency laws and regulations are consumer protection tools that will save consumers money, help them avoid hidden fees and enable them to cancel recurring charges and subscriptions.

Here is what you need to know now:

Continue Reading Turning up the Heat on Junk Fees and Drip Pricing: Federal and State Regulations Require Increased Transparency into Pricing and Contract Cancellation

As we’ve previously reported, FTC practitioners and businesses alike have been anxiously awaiting details about the rule that will prohibit purportedly deceptive practices in connection with reviews and testimonials. Our readers likely recall the FTC’s advance notice of proposed rulemaking from November 2022, the notice of proposed rulemaking from June 2023, and the informal hearing on the proposed rule which occurred in February 2024. The wait is finally over: just yesterday, August 14, 2024, the agency announced the “Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials” (the “Rule”). The final Rule, which the Commissioners unanimously approved, is a formal step to address alleged ongoing non-compliance with Section 5 of the FTC Act and the agency’s Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (the “Endorsement Guides”), particularly in the consumer review space.Continue Reading Final Rule Announced: The FTC Strengthens Its Enforcement Capacity Against “Deceptive” Reviews and Testimonials

Federal Trade Commission
The building of the Federal Trade Commission in downtown Washington DC.

As we proceed through July, the FTC continues to bring the summer heat in cracking down on the advertising practices of cannabis manufacturers, and on the possible anti-competitive effects of serial acquisitions and roll-up strategies.  All this, and more, after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (July 15-19, 2024)

Federal Trade Commission
The building of the Federal Trade Commission in downtown Washington DC.

Between announcing a joint public inquiry with the DOJ seeking information on serial acquisitions and roll-up strategies and Chair Lina Khan’s remarks at the 2024 American Economic Liberties Project Anti-Monopoly Summit, the FTC was active with regard to antitrust issues this week. The FTC provided a glimpse into the markets, in which it is currently interested in, for potential anticompetitive practices, and refunded consumers millions for false country of origin claims. These stories and more after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (May 13 – May 24, 2024)

Federal Trade Commission
The building of the Federal Trade Commission in downtown Washington DC.

The FTC’s enforcement and rulemaking arms have been active this week, with the former resolving actions related to telehealth and student debt relief companies. The agency will also hold a meeting this coming week regarding their much-commented-on proposed noncompete rule. In addition, the House of Representatives advanced a bill to dissolve the Bureau of Competition, the FTC’s division concerned with antitrust issues. These stories and more after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (April 15 – April 19, 2024)

Federal Trade Commission
The building of the Federal Trade Commission in downtown Washington DC.

As we close out the last week of March, the FTC updates include highlights from key findings from the International Competition Network on building tech capacity in law enforcement, banning the use of algorithms for price-fixing in the hotel industry, protecting child privacy data from software companies, and seeking information on the contracting practices of large health care organizations and drug wholesalers.  All this, and more, after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (March 18 – 29, 2024)

Federal Trade Commission
The building of the Federal Trade Commission in downtown Washington DC.

As we move forward our clocks to adjust for daylight saving time and enter the season of spring, the FTC is keeping quite busy. The FTC held multiple events, proposed various settlement orders, and issued new rules covering a host of industries and topical areas, including healthcare, privacy, and telemarketing. Most importantly, the FTC welcomed Commissioners Ferguson and Holyoak.Continue Reading FTC Updates (February 26 – March 11, 2024)