Photo of Kari Ferver

The FTC this week has primarily focused on consumer protection, announcing successful efforts against companies who failed to protect consumers from illegal telemarketing calls and hackers. The agency’s efforts build on a series of actions focusing on consumer privacy and security, which are all the more important as, in the agency’s words, “businesses face fresh incentives to hoard data to train AI models.” These stories and more after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (January 29 – February 2, 2024)

FTC news was light the post-Thanksgiving week, and most press releases provided updates to earlier-reported agency activity. For example, the agency issued refunds to businesses in relation to a 2022 complaint, and testified to Congress as an update to March 2023 testimony. These stories and more after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (November 27 – December 1, 2023)

The FTC is in feedback-seeking mode, looking for input on topics ranging from the draft Merger Guidelines to privacy. The agency also collaborated with the CFPB on an amicus brief regarding the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and entered into a cooperation agreement with several Latin American countries. More on this, after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (September 25-29, 2023)

While the long-awaited update to the Merger Guidelines made the biggest waves in the legal news as of late, the FTC has engaged in several other activities of note, including a crackdown on robocalls, a potential update to COPPA, and cautionary letters to multiple healthcare entities. More on this, after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (July 10-21, 2023)

The FTC’s past two weeks focused on privacy and cybersecurity as well as the Bureau of Consumer Protection successfully wrapping up multiple cases regarding various forms of unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The FTC launched its third action against Meta regarding user privacy issues. In addition, the FTC is seeking comments on a number of topics ranging from cloud computing to recycling. More on this, after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (May 1 – May 12, 2023)

The FTC is back to business after officials attended the annual ABA Antitrust Spring Meeting held in Washington, DC. Standing on the fundamental principles of antitrust, the FTC has issued orders protecting competition in the market of innovative cancer technology. The FTC has also been busy on the consumer protection front, issuing a flurry of orders, remarks, and letters regarding review hijacking, robocalls, right to repair, chargeback deception, franchise agreements, and online marketing.  In addition, Commissioners Khan and Bedoya gave speeches about hot topics in competition, and the Supreme Court issued a decision making it easier to challenge the constitutionality of agency proceedings. These stories and more after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (March 27 – April 14, 2023)

Valentine’s Day at the FTC was marked by the Commission’s breakup with one of its longtime Commissioners, who abruptly announced her retirement in a splashy op-ed that garnered significant media attention.  The agency also announced a new Office of Technology and proposed consent orders related to “review hijacking” and robocalls. These stories and more after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (February 6 – February 17, 2023)

It’s rulemaking week at the FTC, particularly within the Bureau of Consumer Protection. The agency announced multiple Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking for public comment in connection with its October 20, 2022 Open Commission meeting. These Notices and other FTC reports this week touch on fake reviews, illegal fees, protecting older consumers, right-to-repair issues, energy costs, and even funeral services. FTC Commissioners issued a joint statement responding to allegations that its staff traded stocks and funds more than those at any other major agency, while FTC Chair Lina Khan and Department of Justice Antitrust Division Assistant Attorney General Johnathan Kantor met with European competition officials on regulating digital markets. These stories and more after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (October 10-21, 2022)