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.

Neill Averitt

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: 984

Legal heavyweights find little common ground on state of antitrust law

The fierce debate over the state of antitrust law continues to intensify. One side argues the law must be overhauled to address rising market power that hurts consumers and workers, while the other...

Lawmakers offer glimmer of hope for targeted privacy legislation

Despite public outcry about the excesses of Big Tech, lawmakers seem unlikely to pass comprehensive privacy legislation this year. But there is some glimmer of hope for targeted action.

DOJ, states take lead in pursuing price-gouging cases

As hospitals and other facilities in the US experience a shortage of personal protective equipment amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Department of Justice and states are battling price gouging,...

Chopra wants overhaul of safe harbor programs in wake of Miniclip case

When Federal Trade Commission member Rohit Chopra said his agency “must take many steps” to overhaul third-party programs that shield businesses from enforcement actions under a children’s privacy...

FTC continues crackdown of marketers peddling coronavirus cures

Vitamin C dosed through an IV drip, chaga mushrooms and “advanced rife healing frequencies” are just some of the alleged coronavirus cures the Federal Trade Commission has warned vendors to stop...

Military personnel on the defense against identity theft, FTC says

Members of the military experience a disproportionately high level of harm from identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission said, encouraging troops and their families to report suspected privacy...