FTC Fines Car Companies $10 Million Calling Out Influencers and Endorsers
This summer the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has turned up the heat on two companies that provide extended car repair coverage, CarShield and American Auto Shields, for deceptive and misleading advertising and telemarketing activities. The agency also named and shamed certain celebrity influencers and professional athletes for endorsing false statements in their advertisements.
FTC Steps on Career Step and Alleged Inflated Promises of Employment Opportunities
In July, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) brought a complaint against Career Step LLC for targeting servicemembers with misrepresentations concerning Career Step’s ability to match its customers with jobs in the healthcare industry.
What’s the FTC “Up To?” Arise Virtual Solutions and the Gig Economy
Last month, in a joint effort with the Department of Labor (DOL), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) settled an action against Arise Virtual Solutions, Inc. related to charges that the company regularly used misleading advertisements concerning the earning potential from “gig economy jobs” for consumers who signed up for Arise’s platform. The FTC’s action marked the first time the agency has charged a company in the gig economy with violating the Business Opportunity Rule, which requires those offering a business opportunity for sale to give prospective buyers specific information, such as disclosures concerning earning claims, to help them evaluate the business opportunity.
Fifth Circuit Grounds Department of Transportation’s Price Transparency and “Junk Fee” Rule
This week, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay of the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) price transparency and “junk fee” rule (the Rule or the Final Rule). The ruling effectively blocks the DOT from enforcing the Rule pending the legal challenge.
Hello, This Is AI Calling. FCC Proposes New Rules for AI Robocalls
Robocalls may have always had some artificial flavor to them; however, the proliferation of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to blur the line between human and machine interaction. On July 17, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to address the ability of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) to restrict and regulate robocalls made using AI. The NPRM will be finalized and adopted at the agency’s August 7 meeting and may be modified prior to that based on feedback from interested parties.