FTCWatch
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July 02, 2024
FTC sees marked decline in refunds
The Federal Trade Commission obtained $324 million in refunds to consumers last year, down from $392 million in 2022, according to a report issued by the agency.
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July 02, 2024
On the Shelf: A media pro prescribes solutions to misinformation
Truth is often the first casualty of political communication. But balancing the desire to root out misinformation while protecting the right to self-expression is a perennial challenge.
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July 02, 2024
Ferguson explains intellectual origins of his philosophy
Federal Trade Commissioner Andrew Ferguson told a group of conservative lawyers that while he has always leaned right, he became less reflexively supportive of business when he moved from private practice to Capitol Hill, and also because of the economics of rural healthcare.
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July 02, 2024
Meta, FTC enter rarely traveled legal ground in battle over 2020 privacy settlement
The Federal Trade Commission is stepping into rarely traveled legal territory as it pushes forward its plan to reopen its 2020 privacy settlement with Meta Platforms, with the commission planning to hear oral argument on threshold legal issues in what could be a massive financial sanction on the company.
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July 02, 2024
Storms are brewing along with scams
Weather forecasters are predicting between 17 and 25 named storms, making for an active hurricane season. In the face of these threats, the Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers that scammers are eager to prey on victims when they’re most vulnerable.
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June 18, 2024
People
Panoff jumps to Sheppard Mullin
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June 18, 2024
Antitrust scrutiny of streaming platforms intensifies
Streaming platforms like Disney+ and Netflix have transformed segments of the American economy over the past two decades from the arts and entertainment sector to the news media to sports broadcasting.
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June 18, 2024
Ferguson, Holyoak push for restraint in first speeches
The two newest Federal Trade Commission members used conservative think tanks for their first public appearances while urging the agency to show restraint in its enforcement and rulemaking.
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June 18, 2024
Calendar
June 27 — Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter is among the speakers at the Open Markets Institute’s conference on “Fixing the Information Crisis Before It’s Too Late (For Democracy).” It will be held at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC. For more details, go to: https://www.openmarketsinstitute.org/publications/fixing-the-information-crisis.
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June 18, 2024
Antitrust litigation strategy needs work, DOJ official says
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Andrew Forman offered ways to fine-tune antitrust litigation in remarks at the annual Hal White antitrust conference.
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June 18, 2024
Privacy Corner: Harris warns of potential AI pitfalls amid election season
When regulators and politicians need help understanding the threats artificial intelligence poses to democratic elections, they turn to researcher and former Facebook employee David Evan Harris.
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June 18, 2024
House panel recommends budget cut for FTC
The Federal Trade Commission would get $37 million less for the fiscal year starting in October if a key House panel gets its way.
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June 18, 2024
Neil Averitt commentary: AI, creative work and the possible challenges
Artificial intelligence is poised to disrupt established practices across the economy, and nowhere more than in the creative professions such as writing or illustrating, where human artists may be forced to compete against computer programs that have been trained on the artists’ own prior work.
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June 18, 2024
Despite support for FTC’s Khan, Republicans could push for agency changes
Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan has a small, but vocal, fan club among Republicans who like the agency’s efforts to go after Big Tech. But that wouldn’t be enough to prevent efforts to weaken some of the agency’s powers if Republicans gain more power in Congress or win back the White House.
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June 18, 2024
FTC issues final amendments to Amplifier Rule
The Federal Trade Commission issued final amendments to its Amplifier Rule aimed at helping consumers make direct comparisons of home entertainment amplifiers.
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June 18, 2024
Horseracing rule changes coming in July
The Federal Trade Commission approved changes to a rule that improves racetrack safety and enhances the welfare of both horses and jockeys.
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June 18, 2024
As NCAA finalizes settlement over student-athlete pay, questions remain
As the National Collegiate Athletics Association continues to resolve the patchwork of antitrust challenges to its rules for student-athletes, it remains unclear whether a settlement over the limits on compensation and benefits that such athletes receive could open up the organization to additional lawsuits.
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June 18, 2024
On the Shelf: A tale of several lobbyists
When citizens become frustrated with the current state of politics they often say — or at least think — “a pox on both their houses.”
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June 04, 2024
Calendar
June 13 — George Mason University’s Mercatus Center is sponsoring “A Conversation with FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson hosted by Alden Abbott.” It will be held virtually at 1 p.m. ET. For more information, go to: https://www.mercatus.org/events/2024/06/conversation-ftc-commissioner-andrew-ferguson-hosted-alden-abbott.
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June 04, 2024
Wright’s defamation suit against former students he dated can proceed, judge says
A defamation lawsuit filed by former Federal Trade Commissioner Joshua Wright against two former students and colleagues who accused him of sexual misconduct can proceed, a Virginia state court judge ruled.
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June 04, 2024
Kroger-Albertsons challenges show Walmart hovering over grocery deals
Kroger and Albertsons have rejected most of what the Federal Trade Commission has to say about their deal, but both sides can agree on at least one thing: Supercenters like Walmart and Target are changing the way Americans get groceries.
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June 04, 2024
Pay for FTC employees ranks at bottom in 2023 survey
The Federal Trade Commission ranked at the bottom of a 2023 survey assessing employee pay among mid-sized government agencies.
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June 04, 2024
CFPB gets report of FTC’s actions on auto financing, junk fees
The Federal Trade Commission has informed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau of its enforcement efforts concerning the Truth in Lending Act, Consumer Leasing Act, and Electronic Fund Transfer Act.
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June 04, 2024
People
Antitrust vet Cornell lands at Debevoise & Plimpton
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June 04, 2024
Joyce brings pragmatic, prosecutorial expertise to overseeing FTC budget
The House Republican with the most to say over the Federal Trade Commission’s budget is a pragmatic conservative who has been a public servant for most of his career.