FTC Challenges H&R Block's Marketing and Data Practices
Investigation Tag Team: The FTC and the State of Arizona — Moving the Metal: The Auto Finance Podcast
CFPB Warns of Manipulation in Digital Comparison Shopping Tools
Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast Episode: Credit Card and Other Rewards Programs in the Crosshairs
The FTC and Connecticut Join Forces for Action Against Nissan Dealer
The CARS Rule — Moving the Metal: The Auto Finance Podcast
Podcast - Part 2: An FTC Official Speaks About the Regulation of AI Technology
State AG Pulse | Never Say Never to Federal Privacy Legislation
An FTC Official Speaks About the Regulation of AI Technology
AD Nauseam: A Different Type of Imposter Syndrome
Ad Law Tool Kit Show – Episode 11 – State Attorney General Investigations
Consumer Finance Monitor Podcast Episode: The Federal Trade Commission: Looking Back at 2023 and Looking Ahead to 2024 and Beyond
The FTC Takes Initiative to Stop Junk Fees
Analyzing the CFPB's Stance on Comparison Shopping and Lead Generation Websites — The Consumer Finance Podcast
10 Key Trade Developments: Trade Remedy Cases
California’s New Privacy Enforcement "Sweep"
Ad Law Tool Kit Show – Episode 5 – Surviving an FTC Investigation
Status of the DOJ's Combatting Redlining Initiative — The Consumer Finance Podcast
AD Nauseam: Testimonials and Endorsements – How Many Disclosures is Too Many
The FTC Announces Three Important Developments
CarShield, a company that sells vehicle service contracts (VSCs), will pay $10 million to settle FTC allegations that its advertisements and telemarketing pitches deceived consumers, the agency announced on July 31....more
This week, the FTC and Florida AG announced a settlement with Chargebacks911, a chargeback mitigation company that touted its ability to help companies respond to and reverse consumer credit card disputes. The FTC and Florida...more
While social media influencers were showing off pictures from the Amalfi Coast this summer, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was finalizing its guidelines regarding the endorsements that paid for their vacations in Italy....more
Thank you for reading the September 2023 issue of Sterne Kessler's MarkIt to Market® newsletter. This month, we discuss the significant revisions to the FTC's guidelines for endorsements and examine the benefits of design...more
In a previous blog, we discussed the Federal Trade Commission’s (“FTC”) proposed changes to its Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (the “Endorsement Guides”). The Endorsement Guides are...more
In another example of the agency’s practice of regulation by blog, the FTC published last week a Business Blog Post about protecting consumer health information. The post, which summarizes key points from several recent...more
The Investigation - The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently opened an investigation into OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, to determine whether the artificial intelligence company violated consumer protections laws. According...more
Thirteen months after proposing sweeping changes to its Endorsements and Testimonial Guides (Guides), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has finalized its revised guidelines and released an updated set of FAQs to help guide...more
On May 23, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission hosted a national workshop designed to consider the current state of recycling practices and recycling-related advertising. This follows an FTC announcement in December 2022 that...more
On May 18, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a Policy Statement on Biometric Information and Section 5 of the FTC Act (Policy Statement). Section 5 of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45, prohibits “unfair or deceptive...more
Consumers are increasingly conscious of how the products they buy impact the environment. Due to this heightened focus on environmental issues, consumer-facing companies frequently highlight the environmentally friendly...more
What’s Happening? The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has requested comment on whether to retain, modify or rescind the Green Guides, which were originally issued in 1992 and last revised in 2012. Comments are due April...more
On December 14, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it is seeking public comment “on potential updates and changes to the Green Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims” (the Notice). The...more
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has settled charges brought against Fashion Nova, LLC (Fashion Nova) under Section 5(a) of the FTC Act for failure to publish negative product reviews on its website. This edition of...more
Continuing our series on the FTC’s Notice of Penalty Offenses Concerning Endorsements, this post considers the FTC’s statement that it is unlawful under Section 5 of the FTC Act “for an advertiser to continue to advertise an...more
As discussed in our earlier post, on October 13, 2021, the FTC issued “Notice of Penalty Offenses” letters to more than 700 companies, placing them on notice of civil penalties up to $43,792 per violation if they use...more
The Notice was sent within a week of another notice to 70 for-profit higher education institutions, which focused on “false promises they make about graduates’ job and earnings prospects and other outcomes.”...more
Shoppers in online marketplaces, or customers checking reviews before dining or retaining a service, have become increasingly reliant on internet testimonials. Mark P. of Hoboken, NJ rates Hank’s Burger Depot 5 out of 5...more
Who doesn't love an online review? My family rarely buys anything of consequence without checking the reviews first. Online reviews allow us to get the skinny on anything and everything. In fact, my husband even reads reviews...more
It’s been 70 years since Carol Channing first sang “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” on Broadway, with Marilyn Monroe singing the more famous rendition four years later on the silver screen. Around the same time as Monroe’s...more
The Federal Reserve Board announced that it had issued a Consent Order against Mid America Bank and Trust Company (Bank) for alleged deceptive marketing practices in violation of section 5 of the FTC Act related to balance...more
The FTC has entered a proposed consent order with Victory Media, Inc. (VMI) to settle the FTC’s charges that VMI violated Section 5 of the FTC Act by engaging in deceptive acts or practices in connection with its promotion of...more
Earth Day is coming up on April 22, which means that a lot of consumers are going to be reminded to think green, and to buy green. What if your company is looking to access this vast market of environmentally-minded shoppers,...more
There are many businesses focused on helping inventors develop and monetize their ideas. There are companies that, for instance, help people seek patents on their inventions, license their inventions, turn their ideas into...more
In the ongoing effort to reach the hearts and minds of consumers, brands are increasingly looking beyond the traditional media outlets of radio, print and television. The recent meteoric rise and diversity of social media...more