Photo of Tiffany Aguiar

The FTC has been active across both consumer protection and competition spaces in the past two weeks. In the consumer protection space, the agency announced several proposed settlements with companies and individuals, resolving complaints of alleged deceptive marketing, consumer privacy violations, and false advertising. In the competition space, the FTC and DOJ’s Antitrust Division launched a joint public inquiry into the effectiveness of the updated HSR premerger notification form. Operationally, the FTC was also engaged on several fronts, including testifying before the Joint Economic Committee, submitting its FY 2027 budget request to Congress, and announcing its five-year strategic plan. These stories and more after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (March 23 – April 3, 2026)

The FTC had a relatively quiet week, with only one notable update from the agency. On March 5, Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Christopher Mufarrige delivered remarks at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, outlining the FTC’s ongoing enforcement priorities—including fair ticketing practices, payment system integrity, and actions to stop deceptive negative option subscriptions. More on these enforcement priorities after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (March 2-6, 2026)

The FTC has been busy sending money to consumers harmed by unfair or deceptive business acts or practices. The Commission has also announced a settlement with healthcare companies related to the cost of insulin drugs and released a recent report regarding it focus on privacy and cybersecurity. More on this news after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (February 2 – February 6, 2026)

As we enter the new year, the FTC continues to prioritize consumer protection and fair competition, taking significant steps to prosecute offenders for alleged misleading conduct regarding consumer consent and enforce existing court orders. Additionally, the FTC has announced multiple revisions to the jurisdictional thresholds under the Clayton Act, increasing the thresholds for premerger notification filings, related filing fees, and interlocking directorates. Finally, Commissioner Meador delivered the keynote address at the 2026 Tech Antitrust Conference and discussed concerns about technology innovation and the emerging trend of “acqui-hires.” These stories and more after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (January 12 – 16, 2026)

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation that updates New York’s consumer protection law for the first time in 45 years to ban unfair and abusive business practices, not just deceptive ones. Click here to continue reading the full version of this alert.

In both the competition and consumer protection spaces, the FTC was active this past week announcing several new settlements the agency has reached regarding data security, tipping practices, and the use of no-hire agreements that limited worker mobility. The FTC also announced a new date for its workshop on noncompete agreements to further explore their impact on labor markets. These stories and more after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (December 15–19, 2025)

On November 17, 2025, (former) FTC Commissioner Melissa Holyoak left the FTC to become Utah’s interim U.S. attorney. Holyoak left the FTC the same day the appointment was announced.

As a result of Holyoak’s departure, the FTC is down to two commissioners: Chairman Andrew Ferguson and Commissioner Mark Meador. With the two Republican commissioners remaining, the vacancy is unlikely to lead to any material changes at the agency.Continue Reading FTC Down to Two Commissioners After (Former) Commissioner Holyoak Leaves for U.S. Attorney Role

A recent wave of California class actions under Business & Professions Code § 17529.5 is targeting companies for allegedly misleading commercial emails, posing significant legal and financial risks—especially due to strict liability claims and substantial statutory damages. Click here to to continue reading the full version of this alert.

Due to the government shutdown, the FTC is closed aside from essential services.  Therefore, Crowell’s FTC updates will resume after the shutdown ends.

The FTC proposed recommendations to rescind and lighten its own regulations. The agency also published its 47th Annual Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Report summarizing merger enforcement actions in 2024. These stories, and more, after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates September 2 – 26, 2025