The FTC has been active in the consumer protection realm this week, issuing refunds and warning letters, releasing Do Not Call Registry statistics, and announcing a new workshop. The FTC also denied a petition to reopen a long-running consent order related to “stalkerware” apps. These stories and more after the jump.

Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Bureau of Competition; Competition; Nonmerger; Noncompete

• The FTC finalized a consent order requiring Gateway Services, Inc. and its subsidiary, Gateway US Holdings, Inc. (collectively “Gateway”) to stop entering into or enforcing noncompete agreements on their employees. The order followed the FTC’s September 2025 complaint, which alleged that Gateway’s noncompete agreements were anticompetitive and suppressed competition. Previously, these agreements prohibited Gateway employees from working in the pet cremation industry anywhere in the United States for one year after leaving the company. Under the consent order, Gateway must stop enforcing its existing noncompete agreements and is prohibited from entering into similar agreements in the future.

The FTC cracked down on a business providing business loans and lines of credits to US consumers. It also reiterated its commitment to maintaining competition and helping to keep fuel prices stable. This and more after the jump.

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.

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.

The FTC continues to prioritize consumer protection and fair competition, taking significant steps to prosecute and deter offenders while returning funds to consumers in recent cases.  In August 2025, the agency secured a $14 million settlement with Match Group, Inc. to stop deceptive advertising and billing practices in the online dating industry.  Additionally, the FTC addressed antitrust concerns in the transportation sector by ensuring that collaboration among industry leaders does not hinder competition.  The agency also commenced lawsuits against ticket resellers and scored a major victory in a pending case against a multi-level marketing company.  Finally, the Commission initiated actions against multiple companies for false or misleading claims, revealing its current priorities and thinking on claims related to Artificial Intelligence (“AI”).  These stories, and more, after the jump. 

The FTC has been active this past week in providing guidance, including announcing a request for public comments and providing guidance on referrals for criminal regulatory offenses. It has also received a grant to improve its data processing and announced a proposed order against an e-commerce business opportunity scheme operator. These stories and more, after the jump.

In the heat of summer, the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection curbed deceptive weight-loss claims by sellers of GLP-1s, as well as debt relief scams and secret mobile data collection. The FTC also reopened and set aside a final consent order regarding Exxon Mobil’s board and management following its acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources. These stories and more, after the jump.