FTC Business Blog - Economy

$20 million FTC settlement addresses Microsoft Xbox illegal collection of kids’ data: A game changer for COPPA compliance | Federal Trade Commission

Care About COPPA Compliance may not be the coolest Xbox gamertag, but an FTC action against Microsoft for alleged violations of the Ch

Better safeguard than sorry | Federal Trade Commission

To quote studio head Samuel Goldwyn’s famous malaprop, an oral contract isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.

FTC moves to name TV real estate celebs Dean Graziosi and Scott Yancey in Nudge lawsuit | Federal Trade Commission

Last year the FTC and the Utah Division of Consumer Protection sue

When the price is wrong: $175 million FTC settlement with Progressive Leasing shows why cost clarity is key | Federal Trade Commission

Some things have changed in the rent-to-own business, but a $175 million

What happens when the sun sets on a smart product? | Federal Trade Commission

The Internet of Things refers to consumer products that connect to the Internet to send and receive data – everything from fitness devices, wearables, and smart cars to connecte

Endorsements & Affiliate Marketing: The Legacy Learning Systems Order | Federal Trade Commission

Two hot topics in the advertising arena:  affiliate marketing and consumer testimonials.  The FTC’s

Ad agency liability: FTC looks to conduct, not the grey flannel suit | Federal Trade Commission

According to the “Mad Men” stereotype, you could spot an old-school advertising agency executive by the tailored wardrobe and expense account lunch.

Six steps toward more secure cloud computing | Federal Trade Commission

For businesses, cloud services are kind of like clouds. At their best, they can be soothing and expansive.

In hindsight: 2020 | Federal Trade Commission

This time last year, we all were adjusting to a new normal. As the pandemic took hold, the FTC kicked into high gear on COVID-19-related issues, while continuing its work on other fronts, too.

Warning to companies selling cannabis edibles packaged like snacks popular with kids: Put safety over sales | Federal Trade Commission

The packages look like candy and snacks that kids like – for example, Double Stuf Oreos, Jolly Ranchers, and Chips Ahoy! cookies. But what’s inside are cannabis edibles containing Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), products that children most definitely shouldn’t be eating. The FTC and FDA just sent joint cease-and-desist letters to five companies selling edibles masquerading as popular snacks. The letters cite chapter and verse from the FTC Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, but the overarching message is unmistakable: Stop it now.

Deceptive mortgage ads hit close to home | Federal Trade Commission

The headline read ZIP.  ZERO.  NADA.  In big print, the ads also said 0 money down* and 0 for paid closing costs*.  Heritage H

Winter Storm Elliott: How to avoid clean-up and repair scams as you get back to business | Federal Trade Commission

Weather emergencies don’t take a winter vacation. Scammers don’t either.

FTC and States take on “testi-phony-als” in action against housing platform Roomster and operation that posted bogus reviews on its behalf | Federal Trade Commission

Reviews and endorsements can be highly influential when consumers are shopping for widgets and gadgets.

A required action after refraction: FTC staff sends cease and desist letters about Eyeglass Rule compliance | Federal Trade Commission

FTC staff has a prescription for certain eyewear prescribers: It’s time to focus on complying with the FTC’s Eyeglass Rule.

Watching the detectives: Suspicious marketing claims for tools that spot AI-generated content | Federal Trade Commission

A common trope crossing the science fiction and mystery genres is a human detective paired with a robot.

FTC says MoviePass “one movie per day” promise was a double feature of deception | Federal Trade Commission

As the fast-talking talent scout said in a hundred Hollywood classics, “I’m gonna put you in the movies!” MoviePass promised to put consumers in the movies – or at least in movie theaters – with it

An environmental "multi-vitamin" for engines? FTC finds ad claim hard to swallow | Federal Trade Commission

Green Foot Global said its EnviroTabs fuel additive was “the world’s 1st multi-vitamin for your engine.”  A lawsuit filed by the FTC su

Vegas dealers called for deceptive claims | Federal Trade Commission

They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Reader discretion advised | Federal Trade Commission

It’s unusual for an FTC court document to come with a warning label, but the allegations contained in a recent debt collection case against an outfit doing bu

App developer under pressure for deceptive health claims | Federal Trade Commission

Is it time for a little heart-to-heart about making health claims for mobile apps?

Sports concussion prevention claims: What marketers need to know | Federal Trade Commission

Whether you’re a full-pads athlete or a quarterback of the Monday morning variety, you’ve read reports about sports-related concussions.  But before marketing a product advertised to reduce th

FTC Reboots .com Disclosures: Four Key Points and One Possible Way to Bypass the Issue Altogether | Federal Trade Commission

We asked how the FTC’s 2000 staff guidance document Dot Com Disclosures was working for you, and you said it was due for some updating.  Af

FTC issues Enforcement Policy Statement and business guidance on native advertising | Federal Trade Commission

If what looks to be an article, video, or game is really an ad – but it’s not readily identifiable to consumers as such – the FTC has another word for it: deceptive.

I’ll pay you to give this blog post five stars | Federal Trade Commission

Online customer reviews of products and services have become increasingly important in the marketplace.

Seeking your feedback about the Amplifier Rule | Federal Trade Commission

At the Monterey Pop Festival, the legendary Jimi Hendrix reportedly one-upped The Who by setting fire to his guitar and his amplifier.

What your ads say and what the science supports: If the shoe doesn't fit... | Federal Trade Commission

According to the FTC, Skechers made false and deceptive claims about the benefits of Shape-ups and other Skechers brands.  If you’r

FTC v. Kevin Trudeau: The Seventh Circuit Rules | Federal Trade Commission

As anyone who’s watched TV in the past decade knows, Kevin Trudeau is — to use the term coined by the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit — an “infomercialist.” The Seventh

Faith, hype, and charity: Settlement offers tips for charities and fundraisers | Federal Trade Commission

Fundraiser Outreach Calling’s telephone pitches were persuasive.

Justin, Demi, Selena, Rihanna - and COPPA | Federal Trade Commission

It's not likely we'll succumb to Bieber Fever.  We're of a generation more susceptible to the Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu.  But a company that ran official fan websites fo

Company to pay $22 million for offering "free" credit scores that turned out to be not so free | Federal Trade Commission

We’ve brought law enforcement actions – dozens of ‘em. We’ve held workshops, issued reports, and sent warning letters.

5 principles to help keep your health claims healthy | Federal Trade Commission

The marketers of products as diverse as dietary supplements, mobile apps, cosmetics, and apparel may not think they have much in common.

Best practices to foil gas station skimmers | Federal Trade Commission

If you own or operate gas stations, chances are you know about skimmers – illegal card readers attached to payment terminals, like gas pumps, that grab data off a credit or debit card’s magnetic st

Start with security – and stick with it | Federal Trade Commission

Even Superheroes Need Substantiation | Federal Trade Commission

As part of its ongoing probe of questionable claims involving kids’ health, the FTC announced a $2.1 million settlement with major dietary supplement m

FTC challenges Dannon’s claims for Activia Yogurt and DanActive | Federal Trade Commission

If you or your clients make health claims in advertising, the FTC’s settlement with Dannon Corporation for allegedly false and deceptive represe

Fauxmats, false claims, phony celebrity endorsements, and unauthorized charges | Federal Trade Commission

Online news reports appeared to feature the miraculous results celebrities like Will Ferrell and Paula Deen achieved from muscle-building supplements, weight loss products, and other merchandise.

The final chapter in the FTC’s “Your Baby Can Read!” case | Federal Trade Commission

With a product name like “Your Baby Can Read!” – exclamation point in the original – it didn’t take long for consumers to figure out what the marketers were promising.  The company’s massive a

Using social media in your marketing? Staff closing letter is worth a read | Federal Trade Commission

When the FTC brings a law enforcement action, we hope companies take notice.

Background checks on prospective employees: Keep required disclosures simple | Federal Trade Commission

If your company gets background information on prospective employees, it’s likely you’re covered by the

Nursing homes: Stimulus payments are for residents | Federal Trade Commission

If you have clients who operate assisted living facilities or nursing homes, read on.