Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission approved a final order settling charges against an Iowa-based auto dealer software provider that allegedly failed to take reasonable steps to secure consumers’ data, leading to a breach that exposed the personal information of millions of consumers. In its complaint, the FTC alleged that LightYear Dealer […]
Category Archives: Federal Trade Commission
FTC Sends Refunds to Victims of Debt Collection Scheme
The Federal Trade Commission is sending refund checks totaling more than $516,000 to 3,977 consumers as the result of a settlement with the operators of a debt collection scheme that allegedly tricked people into paying money for debts they did not owe. The average refund amount is $129. The FTC alleged that the operators of […]
Google and YouTube Will Pay Record $170 Million for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Law
NOTE: The FTC hosted an IN-PERSON press conference at FTC Headquarters on September 4. The news conference was also webcast; view archival video here. Participants included FTC Chairman Joe Simons and Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Andrew Smith. Google LLC and its subsidiary YouTube, LLC will pay a record $170 million to settle […]
FTC Names Additional Defendant in Student Loan Debt Relief Case
The Federal Trade Commission has amended its complaint in a student loan debt relief case, naming an additional defendant who allegedly took part in a scam that bilked more than $23 million from thousands of consumers with false claims that it would service and pay down their student loans. According to the FTC, Labiba Velazquez […]
Five Companies Settle FTC Allegations that they Falsely Claimed Participation in the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield
Five companies have reached settlements with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations that they falsely claimed certification under the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield framework, which establishes a process to allow companies to transfer consumer data from European Union countries to the United States in compliance with EU law. In separate actions, the FTC alleges that management […]
FTC Sending Refund Checks Totaling More Than $11.6 Million to Businesses and Organizations That Paid for Unordered Office and Cleaning Supplies
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 29,333 refund checks totaling more than $11.6 million to small businesses and other organizations defrauded by a Maryland-based office supply operation that used names such as Midway Industries and Standard Industries. The FTC charged that the operation tricked companies and non-profits into paying for light bulbs and cleaning supplies […]
FTC Revises List of Companies Subject to Broadband Privacy Study
The Federal Trade Commission has revised the list of companies from which it is seeking information as part of its examination of broadband companies’ privacy practices. In March, the FTC announced it was sending orders seeking information about their privacy practices to AT&T Inc., AT&T Mobility LLC, Comcast Cable Communications doing business as Xfinity, Google […]
Three Third Point Funds Agree to Pay $609,810 in Civil Penalties for Violating the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act
Investment advisor Third Point LLC and three funds that it controls have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the funds violated the premerger notification and waiting period requirements of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, or HSR Act, after they acquired the voting securities of DowDuPont Inc. The FTC alleges that on Aug. 31, 2017, the […]
Operator of Colorado Technical University and American InterContinental University Will Pay $30 Million to Settle FTC Charges it Used Deceptive Lead Generators to Market its Schools
An Illinois-based operator of several post-secondary schools will pay $30 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that the operator used sales leads from lead generators that falsely told consumers they were affiliated with the U.S. military, and that used other unlawful tactics to generate leads. In its complaint against Career Education Corporation (CEC) and […]
FTC to Hold Workshop on Made in USA Advertising and Marketing Claims
On Sept. 26, 2019, the Federal Trade Commission will hold a half-day public workshop in Washington, DC to consider “Made in USA” and other types of U.S.-origin claims made by domestic and foreign sellers, consumer perception of such claims, the need for any changes to the FTC’s existing guidance, and other relevant issues. Currently, the […]