FTC Business Blog - Economy

FTC staff report analyzes 70 MLM income disclosure statements | Federal Trade Commission

Think your MLM income disclosure statement is a model of clarity? Think again. Think your disclosure supports claims that participants can earn lots of extra money if they join? Think again (again). Those are just two of the major takeaways from a new FTC staff report that analyzed income disclosure statements from dozens of MLMs.

New Impersonator Rule gives FTC a powerful tool for protecting consumers and businesses | Federal Trade Commission

To turn the old adage on its head, imitation is the insincerest form of falsity.

Mind your net impression: when seafood is not wild, fresh-caught, or local | Federal Trade Commission

Ahoy there, restaurant owners and other friends!

A million-dollar blunder: How the FTC’s settlement with software provider accessiBe can help your business avoid similar missteps | Federal Trade Commission

It’s advertising law 101: before you claim your product can perform a certain task, you need evidence it will work as promised.

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework and the FTC | Federal Trade Commission

Multi-party liability | Federal Trade Commission

Today we are announcing another enforcement action seeking to hold companies responsible for consumer injury caused by others or in which they directly participated in the misconduct.

FTC is taking another look at COPPA and kids’ online privacy – and we want your insights | Federal Trade Commission

The FTC announced proposed revisions to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule on December 20, 2023. The online portal to file public comments is now open and the FTC welcomes your feedback by the March 11, 2024, deadline.

Don’t fumble in the red zone: FTC staff’s warning about the new Fees Rule | Federal Trade Commission

This week, just in time for the start of football ticket sales season, the FTC

Today’s the day for a plan: Preparing your business for a weather emergency | Federal Trade Commission

Blizzards. Hurricanes. Floods. Wildfires. No matter the season, an extreme weather event or natural disaster could be right around the corner.

Lessons from FTC’s Lenovo case: Pay attention to the man in the middle | Federal Trade Commission

The Wizard of Oz was right: “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.” That’s because according to an

$88 million back for AT&T customers: An inside look at a refund program | Federal Trade Commission

Chances are that you or someone you know will be among 2.7 million AT&T Mobility customers who will be getting a refund soon.

New FTC Data Spotlight highlights text scams that may target your business | Federal Trade Commission

According to the FTC’s latest Data Spotlight, text scam losses are skyrocketing.

Lead generation: When the “product” is personal data | Federal Trade Commission

There’s been a lot of talk about “ping trees” and other activities associated with the lead generation industry. The FTC’s concern is that consumers don’t get ponged in the process.

Concerned about deceptive earnings claims? So’s the FTC, and we want your feedback | Federal Trade Commission

It’s a persistent problem the FTC’s aggressive enforcement program’s been fighting for decades: we’re talking about companies and programs that lure in entrepreneurs, investors, or participants wit

OTC homeopathic drugs: Established FTC proof standards apply | Federal Trade Commission

The FTC applies a consistent approach to evaluating ad claims.

Screening tenants? Check out the FTC’s new guidance | Federal Trade Commission

Using background checks to screen tenants? Or maybe your company provides those background checks to landlords? Make sure you’re complying with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Three FTC actions of interest to influencers | Federal Trade Commission

If you have any influence over influencers, alert them to three developments, including the

Back to business #1: Where’s your data? | Federal Trade Commission

As many companies shift to an in-person workplace, you and your employees face the opportunities and challenges of the new new normal.

FTC says Uber took a wrong turn with misleading privacy, security promises | Federal Trade Commission

How much information does Uber have about its riders and drivers? A lot.

Data portability is the topic at September 22nd FTC workshop | Federal Trade Commission

Consumers have come to expect their devices to be portable, but what about their data?

Mentioning unmentionables | Federal Trade Commission

When it comes to using online negative options to sell unmentionables (or anything else), there are some material terms and conditions that marketers need to clearly menti

$20 million FTC settlement requires Uber to have proof for earnings, auto financing claims | Federal Trade Commission

In promotional materials to attract prospective drivers, ride-hailing company Uber Technologies touted how much money drivers would earn and the favorable terms they could get by financing a car th

4 Gramm-Leach-Bliley tips to take from FTC’s TaxSlayer case | Federal Trade Commission

If you or your clients are in the tax preparation field, there are three letters you should focus on. OK, I-R-S may be the first thing on your mind.

Celebrating the Impersonation Rule that helps the FTC fight scams | Federal Trade Commission

They say April showers bring May flowers.

As holiday shopping begins, the FTC and IRS agree: scams and identity theft are always bad for business | Federal Trade Commission

The turkey is gone, and the relatives have departed.

Directory assistance: FTC honors AUSA for work in prosecuting business directory scammer | Federal Trade Commission

Globe-trotting swindlers may try to evade law enforcement agencies intent on bringing them to justice.

Track or treat? InMobi’s location tracking ignored consumers’ privacy settings | Federal Trade Commission

It turns out the real estate people have been right all along.

New Identity Theft Report helps you spot ID theft | Federal Trade Commission

Do you ever hear from customers or employees who want you to know that they’ve been affected by identity theft? If so, you’ll probably start seeing them use the new FTC Identity Theft Report.

(En)force to be reckoned with | Federal Trade Commission

Companies that sign settlements with the FTC need to know that those documents contain consumer protection provisions enforceable in court.  That’s the message of a

FTC staff to Facebook and WhatsApp: Privacy promises prevail | Federal Trade Commission

When one company acquires another, there’s usually a lot of discussion about how to harmonize divergent procedures – everything from personnel policies to buying paper clips.  But

Selling health insurance plans or healthcare-related products? Take your marketing and advertising for its annual checkup | Federal Trade Commission

‘Tis the season for healthcare-related marketing and advertising.

Getting to the bottom line: The FTC’s bipartisan Junk Fees Rule and your business | Federal Trade Commission

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Stick with Security: Put procedures in place to keep your security current and address vulnerabilities that may arise | Federal Trade Commission

Stick with Security: FTC resources for your business | Federal Trade Commission

In our Stick with Security blog series, we’ve done our best to dive deeper into data security by focusing on the lessons learned from recent ca

The Shipping News and Reviews | Federal Trade Commission

Consumers often first go to online review sites when they are thinking about buying a product or hiring a service provider.

Bank data security (but not that kind of bank) | Federal Trade Commission

You spend a good portion of your time trying to protect sensitive information on your network from high-tech hijackers.  That’s important, of course.  But don’t let it take your eye off t

Around the world in shady ways | Federal Trade Commission

Yes, it’s a global marketplace, but geography still matters. Misrepresentations about where a company is based can have significant implications for buyers.

Keep your Made in USA claims red, white, and true | Federal Trade Commission

There sure are a lot of seals out there. The British singer. The Navy special ops unit. The aquatic mammal.

Faking news | Federal Trade Commission

Six online marketers have settled FTC charges stemming from their use of fake news websites to market acai berry supplements and other weight loss products.

Background screening reports and the FCRA: Just saying you're not a consumer reporting agency isn't enough | Federal Trade Commission

You know that phrase “If it quacks like a duck. . .