Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

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On August 26, 2024, the FTC announced a stipulated order and settlement with Care.com for 8.5 MM.  The complaint, filed in W.D. Tex. alleges various violations of Section 5 of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act with respect to the manner in which Care.com advertised and promoted the number of jobs available on its platform, and its auto-renew or subscription feature.  The FTC labeled Care.com’s subscription cancellation flow a “dark pattern”; it is hard to locate, and, once found, consumers must “navigate a multipage process rife with deceptive design tactics”.  The conclusion, per the FTC is that Care.com just doesn’t want users to be able to cancel.  In the stipulated order, the parties agreed that: Continue Reading The FTC and “Cancel Culture”

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

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.

The FTC has kept a steady march through the summer, announcing developments in existing cases, submitting testimony to Congress, and revising existing regulatory exemptions.  Also, the FTC finalized reports on dark patterns, challenged a merger, and issued warning letters on the right to repair.  This, and more, after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (July 1-12, 2024)

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

The first week of June brought two votes on final rules from the FTC, including the Amplifier Rule and Racetrack Safety Rule. Further, the FTC finalized a proposed settlement and consumer redress regarding Lurn, Inc.’s deceptive advertisings. All this and more after the jump:Continue Reading FTC Updates (June 3-7, 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.

Between its new Non-Compete Rule, warning letters against drug manufacturers, and numerous enforcement actions, the FTC has been making more headlines than usual in recent weeks. The FTC’s activity touches on a number of industries, including healthcare, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications. These stories and more after the jump.Continue Reading FTC Updates (April 22 – May 3, 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)