In light of rapidly changing technology such as the increased use of smartphones and other devices to access the Internet, the Federal Trade Commission will host a public roundtable, “Protecting Kids’ Privacy Online: Reviewing the COPPA Rule,” on June 2, 2010 to explore whether to update the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule. The Rule was […]
Monthly Archives: April 2010
FTC Comment to FERC: Consider Ways Alternative Energy Sources Could be Used More Efficiently in Nation’s Power Generation System
The Federal Trade Commission has submitted comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on how alternative sources of energy – such as wind farms, solar cells, and solar thermal installations – can best be integrated into the nation’s electric power grid. The FTC recommends that FERC study ways to make electricity markets better reflect the […]
Federal Regulators Release Model Consumer Privacy Notice Online Form Builder
Eight federal regulators released an Online Form Builder today that financial institutions can download and use to develop and print customized versions of a model consumer privacy notice. The Online Form Builder, based on the model form regulation published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2009, under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, is available with several […]
FTC Provides Comments to FCC on Protecting Children in Traditional and New Media Environments; FTC Approves Final Settlement Order Regarding The M Group, Inc., Doing Business As Bamboosa; FTC Approves Final Settlement Order Regarding Roaring Fork Valley
FTC Provides Comments to FCC on Protecting Children in Traditional and New Media Environments The Federal Trade Commission explains how it helps to keep children safe in both fast-changing online environments – from computers to game consoles to mobile phones – and the traditional media, through comments submitted to the Federal Communications Commission.The FTC’s written […]
FTC Staff Opinion: University of Michigans Proposed Rx Program Exempt From Robinson-Patman Act
In a letter issued today, the staff of the Federal Trade Commission advised the University of Michigan that a proposed modification to reduce costs for its drug benefit program for employees, retirees, and their dependants is exempt from the Robinson-Patman Act, a U.S. antitrust law that prohibits anti-competitive price discrimination. The Robinson-Patman Act generally prohibits […]
FTC Sends Out More Redress Checks to Victims of the J.K. Publications Credit Card Fraud
Beginning April 9, the FTC, through its claims administrator, will be mailing more than 145,000 checks totaling over $4 million to consumers identified as victims of an illegal credit card billing scam operated by J.K. Publications and other defendants. The operators of this scam made unauthorized charges on consumers’ credit and debit cards for purported […]
FTC Staff: No Objection to Rule Change Proposed by National Accounting Group
The staff of the Federal Trade Commission will not object to a change in the professional code of conduct being proposed by a trade group representing accountants nationwide which is designed to assure the public that audits by associated firms are conducted objectively. In a letter sent to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, […]
Telemarketers Barred from Falsely Telling Consumers That Proceeds from the Sale of Household Goods Will Benefit Charities or the Disabled
An Arizona-based telemarketing operation that identified itself as “Helping Hands of Hope” has settled charges that it conned consumers into buying household items such as light bulbs and trash bags that were priced substantially higher than at retail, by falsely promising the proceeds would benefit charities or the disabled. The defendants will be permanently barred […]
Make the Most of Your Money During Financial Literacy Month
April is Financial Literacy Month, and the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, has information to help you make the most of your money whether you’re a student, young adult, parent, older person, or military service member. “There’s no time like the present to learn proven money-management skills,” said David C. Vladeck, Director […]
FTC Charges Payday Lender with Deceiving Employers in Scheme to Collect Debts
The Federal Trade Commission has charged a payday loan operation with illegally trying to garnish borrowers’ wages and using other illegal debt-collection practices. The FTC seeks to stop these practices and require the operators to surrender improperly collected money so it can be used for consumer refunds. According to the FTC’s complaint, the operators do […]