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Justice Department and FTC host first meeting on pricing strike force
Antitrust

The Justice Department (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) virtually co-hosted the first public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing (Strike Force) to discuss enforcement actions aimed at reducing prices for Americans.


FTC announces virtual open commission meeting for August 1
Antitrust

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 am ET and will begin with time for members of the public to address the Commission.


FTC and DOJ host first strike force meeting on unfair pricing
Antitrust

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) virtually cohosted the inaugural public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing to discuss enforcement actions aimed at reducing prices for Americans.


Administrative hearing set for Kroger and Albertsons merger case
Antitrust

Hearing Before Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell In the Matter of The Kroger Company and Albertsons Companies, Inc., Docket 9428.


FTC and DOJ announce first public meeting on unfair pricing strike force
Antitrust

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) will virtually cohost the first public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing to discuss enforcement actions aimed at lowering prices for Americans. The event is scheduled for Thursday, August 1, 2024, from 3:30 PM to 4:15 PM.


FTC sends $12 million in refunds over alleged real estate investment scheme
Antitrust

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is distributing over $12 million in refunds to consumers who paid Zurixx, LLC for a real estate investment training program. The program allegedly made false promises about earning substantial profits by "flipping" houses.


Carshield settles FTC charges over deceptive advertising for $10 million
Antitrust

ImageNRRM, LLC, operating as CarShield, along with American Auto Shield, LLC (AAS), the administrator of its vehicle service contracts (VSCs), will pay $10 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges. The FTC alleges that CarShield's advertisements and telemarketing for VSCs were deceptive and misleading, leading many purchasers to find that numerous repairs were not "covered" despite making payments of up to $120 per month. Additionally, the FTC claims CarShield’s celebrity and consumer endorsers made false statements in its ads.


FTC submits comment on FCC's inquiry into harmful effects of artificial intelligence
Antitrust

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has highlighted its efforts to protect consumers from potential harms related to artificial intelligence in a comment submitted as part of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) notice of inquiry examining the implications of emerging AI technologies.


Career Step settles deceptive advertising charges with $43.5 million payment
Antitrust

Online career-training company Career Step, LLC has been ordered to pay $43.5 million in debt cancellation and cash to resolve charges brought by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC alleged that the company used deceptive advertisements to lure consumers, particularly servicemembers and their families, with inflated employment outcomes, job placement promises, and partnerships with prominent companies.


Khan to speak at YCombinator's AI and startups panel
Antitrust

Chair Lina M. Khan will speak on a panel hosted by YCombinator titled "AI, Startups, and Competition: Shaping California’s Tech Future." The event is scheduled for July 25, 2024, at 12 noon PST/3 p.m. EST.


FTC and DOJ announce first public strike force meeting on pricing
Antitrust

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) will virtually cohost the first public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing on Thursday, August 1, 2024. The event aims to discuss enforcement actions taken to lower prices for Americans.


FTC announces agenda for virtual open commission meeting in August
Antitrust

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.


UnitedHealth Group halts two acquisitions amid antitrust concerns
Antitrust

UnitedHealth Group has decided to abandon its proposed acquisitions of Stewardship Health Inc. and a related company after facing scrutiny from the Justice Department's Antitrust Division. Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter commented on the matter, emphasizing the importance of affordable and accessible healthcare for Americans.


FTC warns companies: Hashing does not ensure anonymity
Antitrust

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.


FTC investigates surveillance pricing practices
Antitrust

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.


FTC issues joint statement on AI competition with DOJ & international bodies
Antitrust

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.


FTC issues orders seeking info on surveillance pricing practices
Antitrust

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.


Chair Lina M. Khan to speak at American Federation of Teachers Conference
Antitrust

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).


FTC halts alleged debt relief scam targeting Spanish-speaking borrowers
Antitrust

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.


Prehearing scheduling conference set for Tempur Sealy and Mattress Firm case
Antitrust

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.