Tag: FTC
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FTC & Justice Department Look to Block Big Tech Mergers by Proposing New Guidelines
The Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department have outlined new rules surrounding anti-competitive mergers. The proposed merger guidelines are intended to cast a wider net to identify potential risks and crack down on possible illegal mergers between already massive companies. “We are updating our enforcement manual to reflect the realities of how firms do business…
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FTC is Investigating ChatGPT After Several Claims of Violating Consumer Protection Laws
The Federal Trade Commission is investigating OpenAI due to claims of copyright infringement, data leaks, and violating consumer protection laws. OpenAI is the creator company behind ChatGPT. The FTC is requesting access to OpenAI’s data after issuing several warnings the app is not exempt from consumer protection laws and must comply. In a 20-page Civil…
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FTC Says Walmart Facilitated Scams That Stole Hundreds of Millions
Today the FTC announced that it has filed an amended complaint against Walmart in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The FTC says Walmart failed to properly protect its wire transfer service that, allowed scammers to use it to steal hundreds of millions of dollars. Scammers often use money transfers in…
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FTC Fines Ring $5.8 Million Over Privacy Risk
Today, the Federal Trade Commission released an announcement warning Ring home security devices were invading customers’ privacy and posing a serious security risk. The Ring home security system offers video-enabled security cameras, doorbells, and other devices connected to the internet for real-time surveillance. The Federal Trade Commission has charged Ring with “compromising its customers’ privacy…
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The FTC is Cracking Down on Fake Product Claims
Have you ever seen a product claim or ad that didn’t live up to reality? Now the FTC has warned almost 700 marketing companies that they could face civil penalties if they can’t back up their claims. “The requirement for advertisers to have adequate support for their advertising claims at the time they’re made is…
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The FTC Wants to Make it Easier to Cancel Subscription Services
One of the main complaints many customers have is how do you cancel something you signed up for. It can be easy to start a subscription, but figuring out how to cancel it is confusing at best sometimes. Now the FTC has announced a new proposed “click to cancel” provision requiring sellers to make it…
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The FTC is Considering Cracking Down on Ads on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, & More
For years now, ads on social media have been a concern for many. Ads for fake products to piracy, just to name a few issues. Now the FTC has announced that they are considering cracking down on social media advertising, especially when it comes to fraudulent health-care products, financial scams, and fake goods. Here is…
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The FTC is Preparing a Possible Antitrust Lawsuit Against Amazon
Today the Wall Street Journal reported that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is preparing a possible antitrust lawsuit against Amazon. It is unknown what the FTC plans to target but Amazon is reportedly being looked at for antitrust violations related to Amazon Prime. It seems the FTC is unhappy about how Amazon bundles services and…
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Amazon’s $8.45 Billion MGM Deal Could Get FTC Antitrust Review
The merger agreement that would bring MGM’s expansive movie and TV catalog to Amazon could be subject to an antitrust review by the Federal Trade Commission. The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, says the FTC asked to be in charge of the review since it’s already investigating Amazon’s wider business practices. As WSJ points…