A Look at Recent Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Initiatives Concerning Privacy and Data Security
2BInformed: Engaging with EPA, OSHA’s New Regulation, and Asbestos
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a report that contains the staff’s findings from its review of disclosure statements from 70 multi-level marketers (MLMs). The report is just the latest in a...more
On August 14, the FTC announced its much-anticipated final rule banning fake reviews and testimonials. The final rule prohibits the purchase, sale, and dissemination of fake reviews, incentivized reviews, and certain...more
In the March edition of our Public Company Watch, we cover key issues impacting public companies, including the new climate disclosure rules, SEC scrutiny on beneficial ownership filings, West Palm Beach Firefighters’ Pension...more
After over two years of consultation and review, on February 15, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) finalized a rule prohibiting the impersonation of government agencies or businesses in matters “in or...more
This week, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a Proposed Rule, “Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees.” The Proposed Rule comes after the FTC solicited comments through its Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in...more
In the United States, the principle of data minimization is embedded firmly within the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Act, through FTC enforcement activities, and in the host of state-level privacy laws and rules that have...more
The Business Opportunity Rule (“Biz Opp Rule”) was first adopted in 2012. It applies to commercial arrangements where a seller solicits a prospective buyer to enter into a new business, the prospective purchaser makes a...more
The FTC continues to issue Notices of Penalty Offenses concerning FTC Endorsement Guide violations to digital advertisers and marketers, both alone and in conjunction with the issuance of FTC Civil Investigative Demands. ...more
At its most recent open meeting, the Federal Trade Commission voted unanimously to issue an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, seeking public comment on whether to modify or expand its Business Opportunity Rule. The...more
The Federal Trade Commission’s latest effort to regulate fees cuts across many industries and comes on the heels of remarks by President Biden condemning “junk fees.” Our Consumer Protection/FTC Team reviews how the advance...more
On October 20, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the launch of a new rulemaking process to address how fees are charged for goods or services, focusing on potentially “deceptive or unfair” fees that the FTC...more
As we reported in April, the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AMLA 2020) aims to strengthen protections against money laundering, terrorism financing, and other illegal activities through a variety of mechanisms, including...more
In This Issue. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) finalized amendments to its proxy solicitation rules that will modify the practices of proxy advisory firms, providing them with greater transparency and...more
On Monday, June 24, 2019, President Trump issued an executive order requiring HHS and other agencies to propose regulations designed to promote transparency and upfront disclosure by hospitals to patients of the charge prices...more
Since the major HIPAA overhaul implemented in 2013, there have been few changes to HIPAA privacy, security, and breach notification regulations. However, several HIPAA regulatory changes may now be on the way...more
Privacy and security compliance obligations for health care companies remain hot topics this spring. Health care companies must now contend with data breach laws in all 50 states as well as keeping on top of federal HIPAA...more
On January 3, 2018, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) issued a final rule to revise 42 CFR Part 2, the federal regulations governing confidentiality of certain substance abuse patients'...more
The Surface Transportation Board has taken a significant step in modernizing its regulatory processes by proposing to eliminate its long-standing prohibition on ex parte communications in its informal rulemaking proceedings....more
Financial Industry Developments - Agencies Issue Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Enhanced Cyber Risk Management Standards - On October 19, 2016, the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance...more
On July 28, 2016, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released an outline of proposals and alternatives under consideration for regulating debt collection practices. The outline’s release triggers the formation of...more
On March 11, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) released an advanced proposal of rulemaking that would establish a more "borrower-friendly process" for students seeking loan relief triggered by unscrupulous conduct by...more
On June 29, 2016, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (Court) issued an opinion dismissing the complaint and denying the motion for summary judgment of the Center for Environmental Health, Beyond...more
The SEC’s December advance notice of proposed rulemaking, concept release and request for comment (ANPR) concerning its transfer agent rules, may foreshadow significant changes for mutual fund transfer agents. Even though...more