LabMD litigation against FTC lingers
Although the Federal Trade Commission won its effort to quash a lawsuit over its probe of LabMD, the now-defunct medical laboratory is still trying to sue three agency employees.
The pushback on convenience, resort and junk fees
Unexpected, surreptitious fees in retail transactions — additions like “convenience fees” and “resort fees” — have proliferated wildly over the past 30 years. When they aren’t clearly disclosed at the start of a transaction, their omission can deceive consumers and distort the purchase decision....
Current Issue: 970
Big hurdles await FTC, DOJ in pursuing nascent competition cases
After the Federal Trade Commission was rebuffed in its challenge to a merger involving a nascent competitor a few years ago, critics wondered whether the agency would become gun-shy.
E-cigarette probe gathering steam
The Federal Trade Commission is gathering data on the marketing practices of e-cigarette makers, adding another component to the government’s efforts to clamp down on a widening public health crisis.
DOJ’s top antitrust litigator resigned during probe of alleged falsehoods under oath
Don Kempf, the Justice Department’s top antitrust litigator who managed the agency’s unsuccessful challenge of the AT&T-Time Warner merger, resigned in August 2018 after he allegedly made false...
Presidential candidate Warren proposes repealing state protections of hospital deals
Elizabeth Warren’s antitrust fever is rising.
Push for access to Facebook’s encrypted messages pits Slaughter against Barr
At least one member of the Federal Trade Commission disagrees with the recent push by Attorney General William Barr to gain access to Facebook’s encrypted communications.
Enforcers juggle interests in privacy cases
While government is sometimes criticized for having a circus-like atmosphere, when it comes to privacy enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission really does engage in a fair amount of juggling.