FTC Chairman Releases 2011-2012 Annual Highlights

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz released the agency’s 2011-2012 Annual Highlights today at the spring meeting of the American Bar Association’s Section of Antitrust Law in Washington, DC, recognizing the agency’s continued efforts to protect consumers and promote competition. The Highlights, published in an online format for the first time this year, focus on […]

FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz Confirmed for Second Term as Commissioner;Maureen Ohlhausen Confirmed as new FTC Commissioner

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz and Maureen K. Ohlhausen were confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday to serve as Commissioners of the FTC. Leibowitz was first appointed to the Commission in 2004 and was designated by President Barack Obama to serve as Chairman in 2009. As Chairman, he has worked to stop scams […]

FTC Testifies on Proposed Antitrust Exemption for Community Pharmacies

The Federal Trade Commission testified today before Congress about proposed legislation that would exempt independent pharmacies from the antitrust laws, saying that such an exemption is likely to reduce competition and innovation, and ultimately increase prices for health care consumers in the United States. Testifying before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, […]

FTC Testifies on New Framework for Protecting Consumer Privacy

The Federal Trade Commission testified before Congress on its new privacy framework, which sets out best practices for companies to protect the privacy of American consumers and reemphasizes the agency’s support for implementation of a “Do Not Track” mechanism that would allow consumers to control the tracking of their online activities across websites. In delivering […]

FTC Takes Action Against Bogus Precious Metals Investment Scheme

The Federal Trade Commission took action to halt a telemarketing operation that allegedly took millions of dollars from senior citizens by conning them into buying precious metals on credit without clearly disclosing significant costs and risks, including the likelihood that consumers would subsequently have to pay more money or lose their investment. According to the […]

FTC Action Puts Robocallers Out of the Telemarketing Business

The Federal Trade Commission put a robocall operation out of the telemarketing business under a settlement resolving FTC charges that it bombarded consumers with more than two billion calls pitching a variety of products and services, including worthless extended auto warranties and credit card interest rate-reduction programs. The final settlement order against SBN Peripherals, based […]

FTC Staff: Proposed Missouri Legislation May Reduce Patient Access to Pain Management Services and Increase Prices

Federal Trade Commission staff, in response to a request from Missouri State Representative Jeanne Kirkton, stated that a bill proposed in the Missouri legislature to regulate providers of pain management services contains restrictions that are likely to raise costs, limit access, and reduce choices for Missouri patients. Missouri House Bill 1399 would allow only physicians […]

Citing Likely Anticompetitive Effects, FTC Requires ProMedica Health System to Divest St. Luke’s Hospital in Toledo, Ohio, Area

The Federal Trade Commission ruled that ProMedica Health System’s August 2010 acquisition of rival St. Luke’s Hospital was anticompetitive and likely to substantially lessen competition and increase prices for general acute-care inpatient hospital services and inpatient obstetric services sold to commercial health plans in the Toledo, Ohio area. In a 4-0 decision, the Commission ordered […]

FTC Charges That Security Flaws in RockYou Game Site Exposed 32 Million Email Addresses and Passwords

The operator of a social game site has agreed to settle charges that, while touting its security features, it failed to protect the privacy of its users, allowing hackers to access the personal information of 32 million users. The Federal Trade Commission also alleged in its complaint against RockYou that RockYou violated the Children’s Online […]

FTC Orders Graco Inc. to Hold Separate Worldwide Liquid Finishing Equipment Businesses it is Acquiring from its Rival, ITW

The Federal Trade Commission issued an order requiring Graco Inc. to hold separate the worldwide liquid finishing equipment businesses of Illinois Tool Works Inc. and ITW Finishing LLC, while allowing Graco to complete its proposed $650 million acquisition of all of ITW’s finishing equipment businesses. The FTC challenged the deal on competition grounds in December […]