This week, the FTC extended the comment period for its proposed rule banning harmful noncompete agreements through April 19. As part of a trend in challenging this practice, the FTC struck down noncompetes that harmed low-wage security guard workers. The FTC also announced that it was sending nearly $2.4 million to consumers who were misled by a stock trading website. These stories and more after the jump.
The FTC finalized orders requiring two manufacturers to drop noncompete restrictions that they imposed on workers. It also hosted an Asia-Pacific Cooperation Workshop on competition advocacy. These stories and more after the jump.
Continue Reading FTC Updates (February 20 – February 24, 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)
The FTC started the new year with a proposed new rule that would ban employers from imposing non-competes on their workers. It also announced increases to civil penalties connected to various federal provisions. These stories after the jump.
The FTC has not been quiet during the holidays. The agency is primarily tied up with its litigation against Meta, but it has also taken action in other industries, including finance and health products. These stories and more after the jump.
Continue Reading FTC Updates (December 19 – December 30, 2022)
Following Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day, the FTC announced an almost $10 million settlement with Google and iHeartMedia related to their allegedly deceptive past endorsements of Google’s Pixel 4 phone and released the Commission’s annual market concentration analysis of the ethanol production industry. These stories after the jump.
Continue Reading FTC Updates (November 28 – December 2, 2022)
Thursday, November 10, was a big day for the FTC asserting its competition authority, from an announcement to strengthen FTC enforcement of Section 5 to weighing in on hiring restrictions. These stories, plus warnings of limited options for medication, an upcoming open Commission meeting, and more, after the jump.
The FTC had its hands full last week with enforcement actions—releasing orders and a warning letter in matters across the board from consumer privacy, to COVID-19, and to advertising. More on these actions, as well as an update on a forthcoming event on consumer privacy and data security, after the jump.
The FTC’s past week focused on the future. From Director Levine’s comments about consumer protection in the digital era to the House passing H.R. 3843, the FTC is in a forward-looking posture. More on this, as well as a settlement secured by the FTC, after the jump.
The FTC had an active week and addressed numerous topics, including ways to protect older adults and gig economy workers. Notably, the FTC released a report showing the rise in sophisticated dark pattern practices and the Commission’s commitment to combatting them. The Commission also announced a proposed rule targeting government and business impersonation scams. This story and more after the jump.