Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that HTC America Inc. failed to take reasonable steps to secure the software it developed for its smartphones and tablet computers, introducing security flaws that placed sensitive information about millions of consumers at risk. The settlement with HTC America, announced by the […]
Monthly Archives: July 2013
FTC Halts Allegedly Phony Mortgage Relief Scheme
Loan Modification Notification flyer sent by defendants to distressed homeowners. Click to see full-size (PDF). The Federal Trade Commission filed suit in federal court to halt a mortgage relief scheme that allegedly deceived and preyed on distressed homeowners by charging them $2,000 to $4,000 based on bogus foreclosure rescue claims. The defendants allegedly falsely claimed […]
Barry Diller to Pay $480,000 to Settle FTC Allegations Related to Premerger Filing Requirements
Corporate investor Barry Diller has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that he violated the agency’s premerger filing requirements, and will pay a $480,000 civil penalty. The Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act requires that parties notify the FTC and the Department of Justice of most large transactions that affect commerce in the United States. After doing […]
Revised Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule Goes Into Effect Today
The Federal Trade Commission’s revised Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule took effect today, giving parents greater control over the online collection of their children’s personal information. The revised COPPA rule culminates more than two years of review by the agency to modernize the rule. The revised COPPA rule addresses changes in the way children […]
FTC Challenges Ardagh Group, S.A.’s Proposed Acquisition of Rival Glass-Container Manufacturer Saint-Gobain Containers, Inc.
The Federal Trade Commission challenged Ardagh Group, S.A.’s proposed $1.7 billion acquisition of Saint-Gobain Containers, Inc., alleging that it will reduce competition and result in the two firms – the merged firm and its only remaining significant competitor, Owens-Illinois – controlling in excess of 75 percent of the U.S. markets for glass containers for beer […]