The Federal Trade Commission has reached settlements with four companies that allegedly misrepresented their participation in the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield framework, which enables companies to transfer consumer data legally from European Union countries to the United States. The FTC also alleged that two of the companies failed to comply with Privacy Shield requirements. In separate […]
Category Archives: Federal Trade Commission
FTC Announces Panels for FTC-CFPB Workshop on Accuracy in Consumer Reporting
The Federal Trade Commission announced the panels for its December 10, 2019 workshop, cohosted with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), to examine issues affecting the accuracy of traditional credit reports as well as employment and tenant background screening reports. The December workshop seeks to bring together stakeholders—including industry representatives, consumer advocates, and regulators—for a […]
FTC Issues Annual Report on Ethanol Market Concentration for 2019
The Federal Trade Commission has issued its 2019 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 directs the Commission to perform an annual review of market concentration in the ethanol production industry “to determine whether there is sufficient competition among industry participants to avoid price-setting and other anticompetitive behavior.” As in prior […]
FTC’s Maribeth Petrizzi Earns Presidential Rank Award
The Federal Trade Commission announced that Maribeth Petrizzi, Assistant Director for Compliance in the Bureau of Competition and a former Section Chief at the Department of Justice Antitrust Division, has received the Fiscal Year 2019 Presidential Rank Award. “Maribeth has been instrumental in the federal government’s work to foster a competitive U.S. economy through enforcement […]
FTC Sending Refund Checks Totaling Over $1.8 Million to Consumers Defrauded by “Risk-Free” Trial Offers for Skin Care Products
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 79,771 refund checks totaling over $1.8 million to consumers who signed up for “risk-free” trial offers for skin care products, but were enrolled in negative option programs with recurring monthly charges. The agency’s complaint, filed in June 2015, charged seven individuals and 15 companies with selling Auravie, Dellure, LéOR […]
California Company Settles FTC Allegations that it Falsely Claimed Participation in EU-U.S. Privacy Shield
A California company has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that it falsely claimed participation in the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield framework, which enables companies to transfer consumer data legally from European Union countries to the United States. In its complaint, the FTC alleged that Medable, Inc.—which provides technology solutions to business customers operating in […]
FTC Submits Comment in Favor of Amendments to North Carolina’s Administrative Code that would Promote Expanded Access to Preventive Dental Services
The Federal Trade Commission staff has submitted a comment to the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners expressing support for proposed changes to the North Carolina Administrative Code that could increase the supply of and access to preventive dental services in underserved areas. In certain facilities in areas that lack access to dental services, […]
FTC Issues Agency Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2019
The Federal Trade Commission issued its Fiscal Year 2019 Agency Financial Report, which describes the agency’s strong fiscal management and key program performance during the past year. The report highlights the FTC’s accomplishments in furtherance of its missions to protect consumers and promote competition, and reaffirms the agency’s commitment to responsible stewardship of resources and […]
FTC Approves Final Order Imposing Conditions on US Foods Holding Corp.’s Acquisition of Services Group of America, Inc.
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that US Foods, Inc.’s proposed $1.8 billion acquisition of Services Group of America, Inc. would violate federal antitrust law. According to the complaint, which was first announced in September 2019, the acquisition as proposed would likely harm competition for broadline […]
FTC Requires Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Celgene Corporation to Divest Psoriasis Drug Otezla as a Condition of Acquisition
Pharmaceutical and biologic manufacturers Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, or BMS, and Celgene Corporation have agreed to divest Celgene’s Otezla, the most popular oral treatment in the United States for moderate-to-severe psoriasis, for $13.4 billion. This divestiture would settle Federal Trade Commission charges that BMS’s proposed $74 billion acquisition of Celgene would violate federal antitrust law. The proposed divestiture […]