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This week the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued warning letters to companies making allegedly questionable “Made in the USA” claims, sent more than $2.7 million in payments to workers allegedly harmed by Handy Technologies’ deceptive earnings claims, and announced a $2.25 million settlement with tenant screening company RentGrow. These consumer protection updates reflect the agency’s continued focus on advertising claims, worker-compensation disclosures, and the accuracy of consumer reporting. More on these stories after the jump.

Continue Reading FTC Blog Updates (July 6-July 10, 2026)

This week the Supreme Court allowed the President to fire Commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) without cause. On the consumer protection side, the FTC proposed a policy statement addressing AI accuracy and approved consent orders for deceptive earnings claims and reviews and for hidden fees. On the competition side, the FTC and Department of Justice (DOJ) issued their Fiscal Year 2025 Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Annual Report. More on these stories after the jump.

Continue Reading FTC Blog Updates (June 29-July 3, 2026)

Register now to join Crowell partners Matt Ferraro, Joanna Forster, and Jennie VonCannon as they explore AI liability, focusing on chatbots and generative AI, recent rulings on product liability in the digital realm, and new laws. This session will provide high-level legal strategies to manage risk and liability across AI applications, including white-label chatbots, virtual assistants, synthetic media, and employment tools. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. PT.

Continue Reading Register Now! Large Liability Models? Emerging Tort and Privacy Risks in Chatbots and Generative AI

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released its Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2026–2030, setting out the agency’s enforcement priorities and operational objectives for the next five years under Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson. The plan reaffirms the FTC’s commitment to vigorously enforcing the nation’s antitrust and consumer protection laws “without fear or favor.” Critically for…

2026 will be a significant year for retailers and e-commerce companies, with significant changes on the horizon that will affect the entire industry and ecosystem. In this alert, we highlight the top issues retailers and e-commerce companies should be aware of and ready to tackle in 2026. Click here to continue reading the full version…

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Crowell attorneys have closely monitored developments related to the California Invasion of Privacy Act (“CIPA”). In particular, we have watched plaintiffs attempt to extend this wiretapping law to encompass website chatbot communications that are managed by third parties.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals recently addressed key CIPA issues in Thomas v. Papa John’s International, Inc., No. 24-3557. The decision reaffirms CIPA’s eavesdropping standard as well as the specific personal jurisdiction standard set out in its recent en banc decision, Briskin v. Shopify, Inc., 135 F.4th 739 (9th Cir. 2025).

Continue Reading Ninth Circuit Affirms that CIPA Only Applies to Third-Party Eavesdropping
Federal Trade Commission

The FTC has placed Twitter in the hot seat again for privacy related practices that it alleges impacted over 140 million users. The Commission has also resolved actions pertaining to alleged magazine subscription scams and credit card laundering. In addition, the FTC is turning to the public to gather information regarding the recent infant formula shortage. These stories and more after the jump. 

Continue Reading FTC Updates (May 23–27, 2022)
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The California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), which went into full effect on January 1, 2020, has seen robust enforcement efforts by the office of the California Department of Justice. In late January, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced an investigative sweep of businesses operating loyalty programs in California and sent notices alleging noncompliance with the CCPA to major corporations in the retail, home improvement, travel, and food services industries. In addition, Attorney General Bonta has encouraged consumers to know and express their privacy rights through an online platform that allows them to directly notify businesses of potential violations.
Continue Reading Enforcement of The California Consumer Privacy Act Via Letters Noticing Noncompliant Loyalty Programs and Online Tool for Consumers to Notify Businesses of Potential Violations

Federal Trade Commission

Monday, January 31, 2022

Consumer Protection: Privacy & Facial Recognition

  • FTC Commissioner Christine Wilson issued a series of letters to Senators Ron Wyden, Maria Cantwell, and Roger Wicker as well as House of Representatives members Jan Schakowsky, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Gus Bilirakis to request review of a proposed contract between the IRS and ID.me, an identity verification software company. Ms. Wilson’s letters highlight a recent Washington Post article predicting that taxpayers may have to scan their faces in order to access their IRS tax accounts. She also expresses concerns that ID.me’s software would not adequately protect the privacy of taxpayer records and could cause other harms, referencing a 2019 hack of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol database, which exposed thousands of photos of Americans. Commissioner Wilson notes that the recipients of her letters are leaders on privacy issues in the House and Senate, and she offered the FTC’s assistance with this request.

Continue Reading FTC Updates (January 31-February 4, 2022)

Federal Trade Commission

Monday, October 18, 2021

Deceptive or Misleading Conduct & Protecting Older Consumers

  • The FTC issued its latest report to Congress on protecting older consumers, which highlights updated findings from the Commission’s fraud reports showing trends in how older adults report being affected by fraud with the most frequent type of fraud reported by older adults

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