FTCWatch
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September 10, 2024
Bitcoin ATMs increasingly help scammers cash out, FTC figures show
Swelling fraud losses flowing from crypto ATMs in recent years are likely part of a staggering problem, according to a new analysis from the Federal Trade Commission.
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September 10, 2024
Calendar
Sept. 26 — The American Bar Association’s Antitrust Section is sponsoring a panel discussion on “2024 Why Antitrust? – Antitrust and Reproductive Choice Post-Dobbs.” It will be held at 4 p.m. at the George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC. For more information, go to: https://events.americanbar.org/event/ABC921F2-7A04-4A72-865B-44C36985461C/summary.
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September 10, 2024
Harris advocates giving FTC power to combat price gouging
Vice President Kamala Harris wants the Federal Trade Commission to get statutory power to take on price gouging, although some experts say that isn’t what’s driving higher costs.
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September 10, 2024
Former steel executive pleads guilty to price-fixing scheme
Edgardo Sola Colon, a former executive of a steel distributor in Puerto Rico, pleaded guilty to conspiring with competitors to fix prices of reinforcing bar, the Department of Justice announced.
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September 10, 2024
After security camera breaches, Verkada settles with feds
Security camera company Verkada failed to protect its customers, allowing a hacker to access sensitive video footage of patients in psychiatric hospitals and women’s health clinics, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
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September 10, 2024
RivX accused of investment scam
Miami-based company RivX has been accused by the Federal Trade Commission and Florida’s attorney general of an investment scam that promised opportunities in the automated trucking industry.
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September 10, 2024
On the Shelf: Gorsuch takes on the law’s excesses
When it comes to the legal system, everyone’s a critic. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch outlines his concerns in “Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law.” His co-author is his former clerk Janie Nitze.
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August 20, 2024
With CarShield settlement, FTC calls out dubious celebrity endorsements
The Federal Trade Commission signaled its willingness to pursue companies for misusing celebrity endorsements when CarShield agreed to pay $10 million to settle claims over deceptive marketing tactics.
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August 20, 2024
Calendar
Sept. 10 — Kelley Drye & Warren is sponsoring a webinar on “Why You Should Care About the FTC’s Rule on Fake Reviews.” It will be held at noon. For more information, go to: https://www.kelleydrye.com/viewpoints/blogs/ad-law-access/join-us-for-an-upcoming-webinar-why-you-should-care-about-the-ftcs-rule-on-fake-reviews.
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August 20, 2024
Horseracing industry gets more oversight as court battles persist
The Federal Trade Commission is holding a private entity that regulates the horseracing industry, which has been plagued by doping scandals and tragedies, more accountable. Yet legal battles continue over whether the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority possesses too much power.
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August 20, 2024
Sweepstakes scam operator agrees to FTC ban
Victor Ramirez, an operator of a massive sweepstakes scam, agreed to a permanent ban, resolving a case brought by the Federal Trade Commission. The ban prevents Ramirez from conducting sweepstakes and prize promotions.
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August 20, 2024
Oklahoma contractor indicted in $100 million highway projects scheme
A grand jury indicted civil contractor Sioux Erosion Control, its vice president and an employee over a conspiracy targeting more than $100 million in transportation construction contracts across Oklahoma.
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August 20, 2024
Google search antitrust ruling in US was driven by user data, but not user privacy
In search, data equals dominance — particularly data collected from users.
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August 20, 2024
Ex-company official pleads guilty to fixing rebar prices
Juan Carlos Aponte Tolentino, the former interim president of a Puerto Rican steel distributor, pleaded guilty to a price-fixing conspiracy, the Department of Justice announced.
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August 20, 2024
Khan’s tenure as FTC chair comes into question with change of administration
Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan’s future at the agency will likely be shaped by the result of the presidential election, but a Harris presidency would not guarantee her continuation at the helm.
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August 20, 2024
Neil Averitt commentary: A few dawn raids needed to test subpoena compliance
A “dawn raid” is a metaphorical label for a search of business offices that’s conducted with a proper warrant but without prior notice to head off a danger that documents will be destroyed.
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August 20, 2024
People
Graham positioned to be Senate Judiciary chair if GOP gets control of chamber
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August 20, 2024
On the Shelf: How to communicate effectively
The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission have tools in their arsenal such as civil investigative demands and subpoenas for dealing with individuals and companies they’re investigating. But sometimes they can apply a less invasive method: emotional intelligence.
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August 20, 2024
Biden administration shines light on three FTC rules
The Federal Trade Commission’s work to stop fake reviews and testimonials, ban junk fees and simplify canceling services is part of a government-wide initiative to make people’s lives easier.
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August 20, 2024
King-sized Mars-Kellanova merger likely to draw regulators’ interest despite minimal overlaps
US confectionery conglomerate Mars — known for its Twix, Snickers and M&M candies — has agreed to buy snack-maker Kellanova — owner of the Pringles potato chip brand — for $35.9 billion in a deal that could attract some interest from global antitrust authorities because of the size of the transaction and the parties involved, even though it has minimal overlaps.
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August 06, 2024
Privacy Corner: At Google, Ringrose focused on protecting platform users
While attending law school, Katelyn Ringrose and her fellow Notre Dame classmates worked on an app connecting immigrant children to free legal aid.
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August 06, 2024
FTC not quashing all energy dealmaking despite ongoing cartel probes
Several petroleum sector mergers above the billion-dollar threshold cleared recent antitrust waiting periods with no public concessions to the Federal Trade Commission and without eliciting a challenge from the agency.
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August 06, 2024
Senate panel approves spending hike for FTC
A Senate panel wants to give the Federal Trade Commission a slight increase in its budget, but the agency could have a tough time seeing the money given the disagreements between the House and Senate.
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August 06, 2024
Global enforcers vow to protect competition across AI ecosystem
Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan and other antitrust enforcers reiterated their commitment to protecting competition across the artificial intelligence ecosystem.
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August 06, 2024
Neil Averitt commentary: Tempur Sealy case charts new approaches to vertical mergers
The question has vexed antitrust enforcement for decades: What is the best way to challenge vertical mergers? The Federal Trade Commission has attempted to answer this question by developing several novel arguments in its recent complaint against Tempur Sealy’s acquisition of the Mattress Firm retail chain.