FTC Finalizes Settlements with Businesses that Exposed Consumers Sensitive Information by Installing Peer-to-Peer File-Sharing Software on Corporate Computer Systems

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has accepted as final settlements with two operations it charged with illegally exposing the sensitive personal information of thousands of consumers by allowing peer-to-peer file-sharing software to be installed on their corporate computer systems.  Settlements with Utah-based debt collector EPN, Inc., and Georgia auto dealer Franklin […]

Tracking Software Company Settles FTC Charges That it Deceived Consumers and Failed to Safeguard Sensitive Data it Collected

A web analytics company has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it violated federal law by using its web-tracking software that collected personal data without disclosing the extent of the information that it was collecting. The company, Compete Inc., also allegedly failed to honor promises it made to protect the personal data it […]

FTC Charges Businesses Exposed Sensitive Information on Peer-to-Peer File-Sharing Networks, Putting Thousands of Consumers at Risk

In its ongoing efforts to safeguard consumers’ private information, the FTC has charged two businesses [complaint 1 | complaint 2] with illegally exposing the sensitive personal information of thousands of consumers by allowing peer to peer file-sharing software to be installed on their corporate computer systems.  Settlements with the debt collection business and auto dealer […]

FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges With Upromise

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Upromise, Inc., a membership reward service aimed at consumers trying to save money for college used a web-browser toolbar to collect consumers’ personal information without adequately disclosing the extent of the information it was collecting. The settlement order […]

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 Approves Final Orders Settling Charges that Credit Report Resellers Allowed Hackers to Access Consumers Personal Information

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final orders settling charges against three credit report resellers, SettlementOne Credit Corporation; ACRAnet, Inc.; and Fajilan and Associates, Inc., also doing business as Statewide Credit Services. The FTC alleged the companies did not take reasonable information security steps to protect consumers’ data, allowing hackers […]

FTC Approves Final Orders Settling Charges that Companies Failed to Protect Consumers Personal Information

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission finalized the orders in two cases settling charges that Ceridian Corporation and Lookout Services, Inc. claimed they would take reasonable measures to secure the consumer data they maintained, but failed to do so. The final orders require the companies to implement a comprehensive information security program […]

FTC Settles Charges Against Two Companies That Allegedly Failed to Protect Sensitive Employee Data

Two companies that maintain large amounts of sensitive information about the employees of their business customers, including Social Security numbers, have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they failed to employ reasonable and appropriate security measures to protect the data, in violation of federal law. Among other things, the settlement orders require the […]

FTC Approves Final Order Settling Charges that Rite Aid Failed to Protect Medical and Financial Privacy of Customers and Employees

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges against Rite Aid Corporation, and sent letters to members of the public who submitted comments on the order. The FTC charged that the company failed to protect the sensitive financial and medical information of its customers and employees. The […]

Nearly One Million LifeLock Victims to Receive Refund Checks from FTC

An administrator working for the Federal Trade Commission began mailing refund checks yesterday to 957,928 people who were victims of allegedly false claims made by LifeLock, Inc., which told consumers it could provide absolute protection from identity theft if they signed up for its identity protection service. The mailings will continue for two weeks. In […]