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Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has accepted as final settlements with two operations it charged with illegally exposing the sensitive personal information of thousands of consumers by allowing peer-to-peer file-sharing software to be installed on their corporate computer systems.  Settlements with Utah-based debt collector EPN, Inc., and Georgia auto dealer Franklin Budget Car Sales, Inc., will bar misrepresentations about the privacy, security, confidentiality, and integrity of any personal information collected from consumers.  Both companies also must establish and maintain comprehensive information security programs.

The Commission vote approving the final orders and letters to the commenters was 5-0. (FTC File No. 112-3143 (EPN); FTC File No. 102-3094 (Franklin); staff contacts are Jessica Lyon (EPN) 202-326-2344 and Karen Jagielski (Franklin) 202-326-2509.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, visit the FTC’s online Complaint Assistant or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). The FTC enters complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to more than 2,000 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. The FTC’s website provides free information on a variety of consumer topics.  Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.