FTC to Host Cryptocurrency Workshop on June 25

The Federal Trade Commission will host a workshop in Chicago on June 25 to examine scams involving cryptocurrencies. The “Decrypting Cryptocurrency Scams” workshop will bring together consumer groups, law enforcement, research organizations, and the private sector to explore how scammers are exploiting public interest in cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and Litecoin and to discuss ways […]

Mobile Phone Maker BLU Reaches Settlement with FTC over Deceptive Privacy and Data Security Claims

Mobile phone manufacturer BLU Products, Inc. and its co-owner have reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission over allegations that the company allowed a China-based third-party service provider to collect detailed personal information about consumers, such as text message contents and real-time location information, without their knowledge or consent despite promises by the company […]

Defendants Who Took Part in Business Coaching Scheme Settle FTC Charges

Five deceptive marketers and the companies they ran are banned from selling business coaching programs and investment opportunities, and from credit card laundering and telemarketing, under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission. The settlement order resolves the FTC’s case against key players in a work-at-home scheme that, operating as Coaching Department, Apply Knowledge, and […]

Bilal Sayyed Appointed Director of FTC’s Office of Policy Planning

Acting Federal Trade Commission Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen announced the appointment of Bilal Sayyed as Director of the agency’s Office of Policy Planning. “I am very pleased to welcome Bilal Sayyed back to the FTC to join to our leadership team. His valuable knowledge and experience in both antitrust and consumer protection law will help […]

FTC Approves Red Ventures’ Application to Sell Caring.com

The Federal Trade Commission has approved an application by Red Ventures to divest Caring.com, a subsidiary of Bankrate, to Caring Holdings, LLC, a newly formed company backed by a group of private equity investors and entrepreneurs with expertise in lead generation, search engine optimization, digital marketing and customer acquisition. The application is related to the […]

FTC Warns Gator Group, Tinitell that Online Services Might Violate COPPA

The staff of the Federal Trade Commission sent letters to two foreign companies that market electronic devices and apps that appear to collect geolocation data from children, warning that the companies may be in violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule. The letters were sent to China-based Gator Group Co., Ltd., and […]

FTC Approves Final Order with Community Newspaper Owner Oregon Lithoprint Inc.

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a negotiated final order that prohibits Oregon Lithoprint Inc. from making or attempting to make any agreement to refuse publication of legal notices or to allocate customers who wish to publish these notices. The settlement between the FTC and Oregon Lithoprint Inc., owner of the […]

FTC Approves Final Consent Orders Settling Charges that Four Paint Companies Misled Consumers through Claims Their Products are Emission- and VOC-Free

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final consent orders against four paint companies — Benjamin Moore & Co., Inc., ICP Construction Inc., YOLO Colorhouse, LLC, and Imperial Paints, LLC — that allegedly misled consumers through claims that their products were free of emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). According to […]

FTC Requires Generic Drug Marketers Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC and Impax Laboratories Inc. to Divest Rights to 10 Generic Medications as Condition of Merger

The Federal Trade Commission will require generic drug marketers Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC and Impax Laboratories Inc. to divest Impax’s rights and assets for 10 products to three other companies, as part of a settlement resolving charges that Amneal’s $1.45 billion acquisition of an equity share in Impax likely would be anticompetitive. Under the terms of […]

Testimony before the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations

Washington D.C. Before the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations United States House of Representatives Chairman Graves, Ranking Member Quigley and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today on the President’s fiscal year (FY) 2019 budget request for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission […]