WHO: Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller, D-West Virginia FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Arkansas Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Massachusetts April McClain-Delaney, Washington, D.C. Director Common Sense Media Related posts: FTC Obtains Court Order Halting Internet Payday Lenders Who Failed to Disclose Key Loan Terms and Used […]
Monthly Archives: December 2012
FTC Issues Complaint Seeking to Block Integrated Device Technology, Inc.s Proposed $330 Million Acquisition of PLX Technology, Inc.
The Federal Trade Commission issued an administrative complaint seeking to stop electronics component manufacturer Integrated Device Technology, Inc.’s proposed $330 million acquisition of PLX Technology, Inc., a deal that allegedly would give the combined firm a near-monopoly in the market for a type of integrated computer circuits called PCIe switches, which perform critical connectivity functions […]
FTC Announces Departure of Consumer Protection Bureau Director David C. Vladeck and Executive Director Eileen Harrington, Appointment of Charles A. Harwood as Acting Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection and Pat Bak as Acting Executive Director
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz today announced that David C. Vladeck, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, is leaving the agency on December 31 to return to a faculty position at Georgetown University Law Center, and that Charles A. Harwood, who has been a Deputy Director in the Bureau for the past […]
FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges That Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Acquisition of Actavis Inc. Would Have Been Anticompetitive
Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s proposed acquisition of Actavis Inc. would have been anticompetitive in the markets for 21 current and future generic drugs used to treat a wide range of conditions ranging from hypertension and diabetes to anxiety and […]
At FTC’s Request, Court Halts Operation That Allegedly Deceived Consumers with Bogus Debt Relief Services
At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. district court has temporarily halted a debt relief operation that allegedly charged cash-strapped consumers hundreds of dollars based on the false claim that it could obtain rates as low as zero percent. The agency estimates that the operation’s gross revenues since January 2008 were at […]
FTC Shuts Down Another Credit Card Interest Rate Reduction Scheme
For the sixth time in just over a month, the Federal Trade Commission shut down a scheme, pending trial, that allegedly tricked consumers into paying hundreds of dollars based on bogus promises of lower credit card interest rates. At the FTC’s request, a federal district court in Arizona has temporarily shut down the operation, known […]
FTC Action Results in $24 Million Settlement with Precious Metals Dealers
The promoters of a bogus investment scheme have agreed to a $24 million settlement to resolve Federal Trade Commission charges that they conned consumers into buying precious metals on credit without clearly disclosing significant costs and risks. Under two settlement agreements announced today, Harry Tanner, American Precious Metals, and Sam J. Goldman are permanently banned […]
FTC’s Second Kids’ App Report Finds Little Progress in Addressing Privacy Concerns Surrounding Mobile Applications for Children
The Federal Trade Commission issued a new staff report, “Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade,” examining the privacy disclosures and practices of apps offered for children in the Google Play and Apple App stores. The report details the results of the FTC’s second survey of kids’ mobile apps. Since FTC staff’s […]
FTC Submits Testimony to U.S. Civil Rights Commission on Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Federal Trade Commission submitted written testimony to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights regarding the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the use of consumer reports in employment. The Fair Credit Reporting Act promotes the accuracy, fairness, and privacy of information in the files of consumer reporting agencies (CRAs). The FTC testimony describes some […]
FTC to Announce Latest Kids App Report
WHAT: On Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, the FTC will hold a press call to announce a follow-up report to an earlier FTC staff report on mobile apps for kids. The call will begin with remarks from Jessica Rich, Associate Director, FTC Division of Financial Practices. A discussion will follow. WHO: Jessica Rich, Associate Director, FTC […]