Federal Trade Commission
U.S. Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Federal Agencies
Recent News About Federal Trade Commission
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Today, Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina M. Khan announced that an open meeting of the Commission will be held virtually on Thursday, August 1, 2024. The meeting will commence at 10 a.m. ET and will begin with time for members of the public to address the Commission.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) routinely evaluates the privacy representations companies make against their data handling practices. When discrepancies arise between claims and reality, incorrect assertions about data identification are often to blame. Companies frequently claim that data lacking clearly identifying information is anonymous, but true anonymity means data can never be associated back to a person. If data can uniquely identify or target a user, it can still cause harm.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated an inquiry into the use of surveillance pricing practices by firms. This practice involves collecting detailed consumer data to adjust prices based on individual characteristics, such as location, shopping habits, and web browsing history.
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Today, FTC Chair Lina M. Khan, alongside international antitrust enforcers and the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, issued a statement affirming a commitment to protecting competition across the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem to ensure effective competition that provides fair and honest treatment for both consumers and businesses.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued orders to eight companies that offer surveillance pricing products and services incorporating data about consumers' characteristics and behavior. The FTC seeks information on the potential impact of these practices on privacy, competition, and consumer protection.
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Chair Lina M. Khan will deliver a keynote address at the American Federation of Teachers Conference in Houston, Texas. The event is scheduled to be livestreamed at 11 a.m. CDT/12 p.m. EDT (noon).
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has intervened to halt a scheme that allegedly deceived financially vulnerable consumers seeking student loan relief, particularly targeting Spanish-speaking individuals in Puerto Rico. The scheme operators reportedly misrepresented themselves as being affiliated with the Department of Education and its loan servicers, making false promises of low, permanently fixed monthly payments and loan forgiveness.
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A prehearing scheduling conference is set to take place on July 19, 2024, before Judge D. Michael Chappell in the matter of Tempur Sealy International, Inc. and Mattress Firm Group, Inc., docket number 9433.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division (DOJ) have extended the deadline for public comments on a joint Request for Information (RFI) targeting serial acquisitions and roll-up strategies across the U.S. economy. The new deadline is now September 20, 2024.
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The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority will hold a hearing before Administrative Law Judge Jay L. Himes regarding the matter of Natalia Lynch, Docket 9423. The event is scheduled for July 16, 2024. The dial-in number for this public hearing has yet to be determined.
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For the second time in as many years, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has issued cease-and-desist letters to several companies marketing edibles containing Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in packaging that closely resembles popular children's snacks.
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A prehearing conference for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is scheduled to take place before Administrative Law Judge Jay L. Himes in the matter of Natalia Lynch, Docket 9423. The conference will occur on July 15, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a series of actions today aimed at addressing concerns about unfair and deceptive practices by franchisors. The measures are intended to ensure that the franchise business model remains an opportunity for honest small business owners.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has adjusted for inflation three monetary exemption thresholds used to determine whether the sale of a franchise qualifies for an exemption under the agency’s Franchise Rule. The rule mandates franchisors to disclose essential information prospective buyers need to evaluate the risks and benefits of investing in a franchise.
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The history of traditional open-source software offers a vision of the potential benefits that could arise from the availability of open-weights AI models. These benefits include fostering innovation, enhancing competition, improving consumer choice, and reducing costs. Understanding these models, including their advantages and risks, can help realize competitive benefits while avoiding consumer harm.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has submitted a comment supporting a proposed rule by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) regarding new requirements for patent terminal disclaimer practice to address potential abuses within the patent system.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and two international consumer protection networks have announced the results of a review of selected websites and apps, revealing that a significant percentage may use dark patterns. These digital design techniques can manipulate consumers into purchasing products or services or compromising their privacy.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office have taken action against NGL Labs, LLC and its co-founders, Raj Vir and Joao Figueiredo, for violations related to their anonymous messaging app. The defendants will pay $5 million to settle the lawsuit and are banned from offering their "NGL: ask me anything" app to individuals under 18.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce regarding the agency’s fiscal year 2025 budget and its ongoing efforts to promote competition and protect consumers.
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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has published an interim report on the prescription drug middleman industry, highlighting the significant impact that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) have on the accessibility and affordability of prescription drugs. This report is part of an ongoing inquiry initiated by the FTC in 2022.