As part of the Federal Trade Commission’s ongoing efforts to protect consumer privacy, the Director of the FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection sent a letter advocating protection of personal customer information held by Borders Group, which is currently in bankruptcy. BCP Director David Vladeck’s letter, addressed to the consumer privacy ombudsman appointed by the court […]
Monthly Archives: September 2011
FTC Announces New and Improved OnGuardOnline Website
Want to know more about Internet safety and security? Visit the new and improved OnGuardOnline.gov for practical tips and resources on how to be safe, secure and responsible online. Created through a partnership of 16 federal agencies led by the Federal Trade Commission, it’s a great source of free information for your home, school, community […]
FTC To Host Workshop on Facial Recognition Technology
The Federal Trade Commission will host a workshop in Washington, DC on December 8, 2011, exploring facial recognition technology and the privacy and security implications raised by its increasing use. Facial recognition technology has been adopted in a variety of new contexts, ranging from online social networks to digital signs and mobile apps. Its increased […]
FTC Seeks Comment on Proposed Revisions to Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule
The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule, which gives parents control over what personal information websites may collect from children under 13. The FTC proposes these amendments to ensure that the Rule continues to protect children’s privacy, as mandated by Congress, as online technologies […]
Federal Agencies Release Annual Report to Congress on Scholarship Fraud
The Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Education have issued their annual report to Congress describing the agencies’ continued efforts to combat scholarship and financial aid fraud, as required by the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act of 2000. Each year, millions of students seek help in financing their college education, […]
FTC Action Halts Allegedly Illegal Tactics of Payday Lending Operation That Attempted to Garnish Consumers Paychecks
After the Federal Trade Commission filed an action in U.S. district court, a payday lender that allegedly attempted to illegally garnish consumers’ wages has agreed to stop the challenged conduct pending trial. As part of its continuing crackdown on scams that target consumers in financial distress, the FTC complaint alleges that Payday Financial, LLC, doing […]
FTC Presents Criminal Liaison Unit Award to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams
The Federal Trade Commission is honoring Jennifer Arbittier Williams, an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, with its fifth Annual Criminal Liaison Award for her work to combat consumer fraud. The award is presented annually to a criminal law enforcer who demonstrates a commitment to consumer protection in partnership with the FTC. […]
“Acne Cure” Mobile App Marketers Will Drop Baseless Claims Under FTC Settlements
Marketers who advertised that their smartphone applications could treat acne have agreed to stop making baseless claims in order to settle FTC charges. The mobile applications, commonly referred to as “apps,” were sold in Apple’s iTunes Store and Google’s Android Marketplace. The settlements in two separate cases would bar the marketers from making certain health-related […]
Five Things Parents Should Know About Underage Drinking
As the new school year starts, the Federal Trade Commission is launching its 2011 “We Don’t Serve Teens” consumer education campaign, which warns of the hazards of underage drinking. The FTC and a coalition of private and public groups are distributing education materials that support the legal drinking age of 21 and emphasize that what […]
FTC Adds Defendant in Deceptive Mortgage Loan Modification Case
The FTC has amended its complaint against U.S. Mortgage Funding, Inc. by adding Louis Gendason as a defendant. The amended complaint also asks the court to issue a preliminary injunction against Gendason that will reduce the chance of consumer injury and preserve the possibility of consumer redress while the defendants await trial. The FTC alleges […]