FTC International Monthly

Current Issue: March 2020

Competition

FTC Challenges Proposed Merger of Two Hospital Systems
FTC Challenges Joint Venture between Coal Mining Companies
Rent-to-Own Operators Prohibited from Entering Reciprocal Purchase Agreements

Consumer Protection and Privacy

FTC, FDA Send Warning Letters to Seven Companies About Unsupported Claims That Products Can Treat or Prevent Coronavirus
“Detox” Tea Marketer Settles FTC Charges That It Misled Consumers and Did Not Adequately Disclose Payments to Social Media Influencers Like Cardi B
FTC Obtains Order Against Alleged Investor Training Scheme Targeting Older Consumers

In Other News

FTC 2019 Privacy and Data Security Update Highlights Record Fines and International Cooperation
First Round of Refunds Totaling $153 Million Sent to Consumers As a Result of Multi-Agency Case Against Western Union
New FTC Data Show Consumers Reported Losing More Than $200 Million to Romance Scams in 2019
FTC, FDA Hold Workshop on Promoting Competition in Markets for Biologics

Previous Issue: February 2020

Competition

FTC To Examine Past Acquisitions by Large Technology Firms
FTC Challenges Anticompetitive Scheme To Maintain a $4,000 Percent List-Price Increase for Life-Saving Drug Daraprim
Razor Manufacturer Abandons Proposed Acquisition of Disruptive Rival After FTC Sues To Block Merger
Nursing Services Providers Abandon Merger in Face of FTC Challenge

Consumer Protection and Privacy

Court Stops Sprawling Global Scheme That Operated Hundreds of Websites That Deceived Consumers About Government Services
Operators of Comparison Shopping Website for Financial Products Agree To Settle FTC Charges Alleging Deceptive Rankings of Financial Products and Fake Reviews
Background Check Services Provider Agrees To Settle FTC Allegations That It Falsely Claimed Participation in the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield
FTC Warns VoIP Service Providers About Illegal Telemarketing and Robocalling

In Other News

New FTC Data Site Details FTC Refunds to Consumers: $232 Million Returned in 2019
FTC Publishes Data Spotlight on Big Losses from Fake Check Scams
FTC and DOJ Extend Deadline for Public Comments on Draft Vertical Merger Guidelines, Announce Two Related Joint Public Workshops
FTC Announces Annual Update of Size of Transaction Thresholds
FTC, FDA Sign Joint Statement Promoting Competition in Markets for Biologics
FTC Seeks Public Comment on Its Endorsement Guides
FTC Seeks Public Comment As Part of Its Review of the Funeral Rule
FTC Submits Annual Budget Request, Performance Plan, and Performance Report to Congress

Archives

Issue	Highlights
2020
January	FTC and DOJ Issue Draft Vertical Merger Guidelines for Public Comment FTC Alleges Fuel Card Marketer FleetCor Charged Hundreds of Millions in Hidden Fees Defendants Who Helped Blast Consumers with Millions of Cruise Line Robocalls Settle FTC Complaint FTC Calls for Presentations for Privacy Con 2020 FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Publishes Blog Post on Notable Cases and Initiatives from the Past Year
2019
December	For-Profit University To Pay Record $191 Million To Resolve FTC Charges That It Deceived Prospective Students FTC Determines That Cambridge Analytica Deceived Consumers About the Collection of Facebook Data, Compliance with EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Five Companies Settle FTC Allegations That They Falsely Claimed Participation in the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield FTC Testifies Before House Judiciary Subcommittee About Competition Enforcement and Policy, Including in Technology Markets FTC Consumer Blog: What To Ask Before Buying Internet-Connected Toys for the Holidays Bureau of Competition Publishes Blog Post Clarifying That in Merger Analysis a Firm’s Closest Competitor Is Not Its Only Competitor
2019
November	Consummated Merger of Microprocessor Prosthetic Knee Companies To Be Unwound Agency Heads from the United States, Canada, and Mexico Discuss Antitrust Policy and Enforcement FTC and DOJ Approve Procedural Amendments to HSR Rules for Foreign Entities FTC Sues Multi-Level Marketer for Operating as an Illegal Pyramid Scheme and Falsely Promoting Brain Health Supplements AT&T To Pay $60 Million To Resolve FTC Allegations It Misled Consumers with ‘Unlimited Data’ Promises FTC Charges Data Storage Services Company with Falsely Claiming Participation in the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield FTC Is Hosting Nine International Fellows and Interns and Accepting Nominations for February 2020 Class FTC Releases Advertising Disclosures Guidance for Online Influencers FTC Joins Charity Regulators Around the Nation, World To Raise Awareness of Charity Fraud
October	FTC Sues Owner of Online Dating Service Match.com for Using Fake Love Interest Ads to Trick Consumers into Paying for a Subscription Multi-Level Marketer AdvoCare Will Pay $150 Million to Settle FTC Charges It Operated an Illegal Pyramid Scheme FTC Acts Against Company Using Celebrity Endorsements, Bogus Earnings Claims to Sell Real Estate Seminars Econsumer.gov Launches Social Media Campaign on Reporting International Scams Belizean Bank to Pay $23 Million to Settle FTC Charges It Provided Substantial Assistance to the Sanctuary Belize Real Estate Scam NEXUS Gas Transmission Eliminates Non-Compete as Condition of Pipeline Acquisition FTC to Study E-Cigarette Manufacturers’ Sales, Advertising, and Promotional Methods
August/September	FTC Chairman Announces Output from Hearings and Highlights Recommendations for SAFE WEB Act Renewal and Enhanced Cooperation Tools from International Hearing Google and YouTube Will Implement Compliance System and Pay Record $170 Million for Alleged Violations of Children’s Privacy Law Five Companies Settle FTC Allegations That They Falsely Claimed Participation in the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield FTC Challenges Proposed Merger of Hydrogen Peroxide Producers FTC Requires Divestitures and Imposes Conditions on Boston Scientific Corp.’s Acquisition of BTG plc FTC Seeks Comments on Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Rule FTC to Hold Workshop on Made in USA Advertising and Marketing Claims
July	FTC Imposes Historic $5 Billion Penalty and Sweeping New Privacy Restrictions on Facebook; Also Sues Cambridge Analytica, Settles with Former CEO and App Developer Equifax to Pay $575 Million as Part of Settlement with FTC, CFPB, and States Related to 2017 Data Breach FTC Takes Action Against Companies Falsely Claiming to Participate in Cross-Border Data Privacy Arrangements G7 Competition Authorities Adopt Common Understanding on Competition and the Digital Economy El Salvador’s Defensoría del Consumidor Joins econsumer.gov
June	Qualcomm’s Licensing Practices Violate Antitrust Laws FTC Staff Report on Branded Drug Firms’ Patent Settlements with Generic Competitors Shows Decrease in Reverse Payments Canon and Toshiba Pay $5 Million for Violating Pre-Merger Notification Waiting Period FTC Adds Latvian Payment Processor and Its CEO to “Free Trial” Litigation
May	International Competition Network Adopts Framework for Competition Agency Procedures; U.S. Agencies to Host 2020 Annual Conference FTC Charges Surescripts with Illegal Monopolization of E-Prescription Markets FTC and DOJ Meet with Officials from Japan and South Korea Agencies from Nearly 20 countries Participate in 10th Annual African Consumer Protection Dialogue Conference FTC Announces First Actions Exclusively Enforcing the Consumer Review Fairness Act FTC to Host Meeting on Indian Call Center Fraud Econsumer.gov Releases Top International Fraud Report Data for 2018 FTC Submits Comment on FDA Guidance Regarding Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products
April	FTC Holds Hearings on the Agency’s International Programs FTC Chairman Releases 2018 Annual Highlights FTC Signs Consumer Protection Memorandum of Understanding with United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority FTC Releases 2018 Privacy and Data Security Update FTC Sends Warning Letters to Companies Regarding Diamond Ad Disclosures FTC Concludes that Impax Entered into Illegal Pay-for-Delay Agreement
March	FTC to Hold Hearings on the Agency’s Role in a Changing World FTC Launches Technology Task Force FTC Enters Global Settlement to Resolve Reverse-Payment Charges Against Teva FTC Issues Modified Final Order Imposing Conditions on Merger of International Industrial Gas Suppliers Praxair, Inc. and Linde AG Record Civil Penalty Imposed Against Operator of China-Based Video Social Networking App to Settle FTC Allegations That it Violated Children’s Privacy Law FTC Brings First Case Challenging Fake Paid Reviews on an Independent Retail Website, Alleges Weight Loss Supplement Claims Were Deceptive
January/February	FTC Announces Hearings on International Engagement To Be Held in March FTC Enforcement Actions Yield More than $2.3 Billion in Refunds to Consumers between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018 FTC Obtains Order Barring U.S. and Canadian Scammers from Marketing Internet-related Services and Misrepresenting Their Relationship with Consumers FTC and FDA Send Warning Letters to Companies Selling Dietary Supplements Claiming to Treat Alzheimer’s and Other Diseases New FTC Data Spotlight Details Big Jump in Losses, Complaints about Romance Scams
2018
December	FTC Hearings Turn to Issues of Common Ownership, Data Security, and Consumer Privacy Court Halts International Internet Marketing Operation FTC International Fellows Program Is Now Accepting Nominations for February and September 2019 Classes Latest Consumer Protection Data Spotlight Finds Seniors Sending Thousands in Cash to Scammers Claiming to be their Grandchildren
November	FTC Hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century Examine Emerging Issues Stemming from Technology and Innovation MoneyGram Agrees to Pay $125 Million to Settle Allegations that the Company Violated Earlier Agreements At FTC’s Request, Court Halts Massive “Sanctuary Belize” Real Estate Investment Scam American Immigration Center Settles with FTC on Government Imposter Allegations International Industrial Gas Suppliers Divest Assets in Nine Industrial Gas Markets as a Condition of Merger FTC Chairman Joseph J. Simons Meets with Counterparts from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to Discuss Antitrust Enforcement FTC and International Partners Hold First Annual International Charity Fraud Awareness Week FTC is Making Consumer Complaint Data More Accessible Econsumer.gov Consumer Education Video is Now Available in Seven Languages
October	FTC Team Receives Prestigious Public Service Award for Negotiating Historic Half-Billion Dollar Western Union Settlement to Redress Fraud-Induced Money Transfers In Memoriam: Robert Pitofsky FTC Reaches Settlements with Four Companies That Falsely Claimed Participation in the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield FTC and DOJ Return a Record $505 Million in Monetary Redress to Consumers Harmed by Massive Payday Lending Scheme Christine S. Wilson Sworn in as FTC Commissioner Econsumer.gov Releases Top Complaint Categories for April to June
September	First FTC Hearing on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century Held Today with Additional Hearings Scheduled Federal Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction in Tronox/Cristal Merger Hockey Puck Seller, Companies Selling Recreational and Outdoor Equipment Agree To Stop Making False ‘Made in USA’ Claims FTC Welcomes New Foreign Fellows and Is Now Accepting Nominations for February 2019 Class Econsumer.gov Consumer Education Video Is Now Available in Six Languages
August	Wilhelmsen Maritime Services Abandons Acquisition of Drew Marine Group Grifols to Divest Assets as Condition of Acquiring Biotest US Corp Search Cross-Border Complaint Trends in Your Country FTC Testifies Before Two House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittees About the Agency’s Work to Combat Payment Processors Who Facilitate Fraud
July	FTC Announces Hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century and Invites First Round of Comments by August 20 FTC, BBB, and Law Enforcement Partners Announce Results of Small Business Scam Law Enforcement and Education Initiative California Company Settles FTC Charges Related to Privacy Shield Participation FTC Hosts Semi-Annual Forum for Asia Pacific Privacy Authorities Report International Scams to econsumer.gov Using Your Mobile Device Court Rules that AbbVie Sham Litigation is Anticompetitive Monopolization and Orders $448 Million in Relief FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Staff Submits Comment on Internet of Things and Consumer Product Hazards
June	FTC Imposes Conditions on Acquisition of Solid Rocket Motor Supplier Administrative Law Judge Dismisses Complaint Against Generic Pharmaceutical Company FTC Action Halts Massive International Internet Business Coaching Scheme FTC Engages Public and Private Partners to Combat Indian Call Center Fraud Econsumer.gov Releases Top Complaint Categories for January to March
May	FTC, FDA Take Action Against Companies Marketing E-liquids Resembling Children’s Juice Boxes, Candies, and Cookies Mobile Phone Maker BLU Reaches Settlement with FTC over Deceptive Privacy and Data Security Claims FTC Warns China-based and Sweden-based Companies that Online Services Might Violate COPPA FTC Holds Workshop with ASEAN Consumer Protection Partners Generic Drug Marketers Divest Rights to 10 Generic Medications as Condition of Merger Scammers Impersonate Chinese Consulates FTC and econsumer.gov Members Launch econsumer.gov Consumer Education Video in French, Korean, and Turkish (Subtitled)
April	FTC Acting Chairman Releases 2017 Annual Highlights International Competition Network Adopts Guiding Principles for Procedural Fairness and New Recommendations for Merger Review CDK Global Abandons Proposed Acquisition of Auto/Mate Following FTC Challenge Uber Agrees to Expanded Settlement with FTC Related to Privacy, Security Claims Acting Director of FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection Issues Statement Regarding Reported Concerns About Facebook Privacy Practices FTC Joins More Than 20 Countries at African Consumer Protection Dialogue Conference FTC Shares Its Experience with Privacy and Data Security Experts in India FTC Holds International Enforcers Roundtable
March	FTC Releases Annual Summary of Complaints Reported by Consumers FTC to Provide Certified econsumer.gov Members Access to More Cross-Border Complaint Data PayPal Settles FTC Charges that Venmo Failed to Disclose Information to Consumers on the Ability to Transfer Funds and on Privacy Settings; Violated Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act FTC Challenges Schemes That Target or Affect Senior Citizens in the U.S. and Abroad FTC Closes Essilor/Luxottica Merger Investigation FTC Challenges Proposed Merger of World’s Largest Suppliers of Water Treatment Chemicals and Services
February	Acting FTC Chairman Ohlhausen Reports One Year of Agency Accomplishments U.S. Officials Meet with Chinese Anti-Monopoly Agencies FTC Requires Divestiture of Retail Fuel Outlets as Condition of Acquisition Online Talent Search Company Settles FTC Allegations it Collected Children’s Information without Consent and Misled Consumers Marketers Barred from Making Deceptive Claims about Products’ Ability to Mitigate Side Effects of Cancer Treatment FTC Releases Annual Privacy and Data Security Update FTC Posts Videos on Burdens of Unnecessary Occupational Licensing Requirements
January	FTC Returns $6.4 Billion in Refunds to Consumers Electronic Toy Maker VTech Settles FTC Allegations That it Violated Children’s Privacy Law and the FTC Act FTC and econsumer.gov Members Launch New econsumer.gov Consumer Education Video Agency Releases Staff Report Summarizing FTC Consumer Research on Online Advertising FTC Challenges Consummated Merger of Companies That Make Microprocessor Prosthetic Knees FTC Requires Divestiture of Two Medical Device Product Lines as Condition of Merger Canadian Fertilizer and Chemical Companies Divest Production Facilities as Condition of Merger FTC Staff Perspective Recaps Workshop Examining Privacy, Security Issues Related to Connected Cars FTC, FCC Outline Agreement to Coordinate Online Consumer Protection Efforts Following Adoption of the Restoring Internet Freedom Order
2017
December	Officials from the United States, Canada, and Mexico Participate in Trilateral Meeting FTC Challenges Proposed Titanium Dioxide Merger FTC Requires Retail Fuel Station Divestiture Dietary Supplement Sellers Settle FTC False Advertising Charges FTC Reminds Consumers to File Claims for Refund from Western Union’s $586 Million Settlement FTC Issues Annual Agency Financial Report FTC Issues Reports on Drug Firm Patent Settlements and Ethanol Market Concentration
November	Acting FTC Chairman Ohlhausen Issues Statement on First Annual Review of EU-U.S.-Privacy Shield FTC Provides Additional Guidance on COPPA and Voice Recordings FTC Testifies on Net Neutrality FTC Holds Tenth Annual Microeconomics Conference FTC Invites Applications to Its International Fellows Program President Announces Intent to Nominate New FTC Chairman and Commissioner
October	FTC, DOJ Issue Fiscal Year 2016 Hart Scott Rodino Premerger Notification Report FTC Conditions Acquisition of Alere by Abbott Labs FTC Conditions Integra’s Acquisition of Johnson & Johnson Division FTC Earns Prestigious International Award for AshleyMadison.com Data Breach Investigation; Shares Honor with Privacy Law Authorities in Australia and Canada Millions Look to FTC for Equifax Breach Info FTC Holds Twitter Chat on Social Media Influencer Disclosures
September	CSGO Lotto Owners Settle FTC’s First-Ever Complaint Against Individual Social Media Influencers; Staff Sends Warning Letters to Influencers and Updates Staff Guidance Three Companies Agree to Settle FTC Charges They Falsely Claimed Participation in EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework Lenovo Settles FTC Charges It Harmed Consumers with Preinstalled Software on Its Laptops that Compromised Online Security Acting Director of FTC Bureau of Competition Issues Statement on Agency's Review of Amazon.com, Inc.'s Acquisition of Whole Foods Market Inc. FTC Acting Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen Speaks on 2017 Joint FTC-DOJ Antitrust Guidelines for International Enforcement and Cooperation Before International Bar Association Conference FTC Closes Investigation of Honeywell International, Inc. and E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.
August	FTC Escalates the Fight Against Illegal Robocalls Using Consumer Complaints to Aid Industry Call-Blocking Solutions FTC Approves Modifications to TRUSTe’s COPPA Safe Harbor Program FTC Testifies Before House Judiciary Committee on Regulatory Abuse in the Pharmaceutical Sector FTC Announces Winner of Its Internet of Things Home Device Security Contest
July	FTC Conditions Broadcom’s Acquisition of Brocade Communications Systems FTC Challenges Merger of Daily Fantasy Sports Sites FTC Halts Operation That Unlawfully Shared and Sold Consumers’ Sensitive Data FTC and Other Consumer Protection Agencies Unveil Updated Website for International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network FTC Announces Regulatory Reform Measures Ranging from TVs and Textiles to Energy Labels and CAN-SPAM
June	FTC and Federal, State, and International Partners Announce Major Crackdown on Tech Support Scams FTC and DOJ Case Results in Historic Decision Awarding $280 Million in Civil Penalties Against Dish Network and Strong Injunctive Relief for Do Not Call Violations Claims Procedure Open for Purchasers of Volkswagen Cars Subject to Misleading “Clean Diesel” Claims Refunds Available from Amazon for Unauthorized In-App Purchases Following FTC-Amazon Agreement to End Litigation FTC Announces Third PrivacyCon, Calls for Presentations
May	FTC Participates in Meetings of International Competition Network and International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network Divestiture Will Preserve Competition in U.S. Market for Industrial Switchboxes FTC Obtains Court Order Halting Peruvian Telemarketing Scheme that Preyed on Spanish Speaking Consumers Marketers of ‘NutriMost Ultimate Fat Loss System’ Settle FTC Charges FTC Staff Reminds Influencers and Brands to Clearly Disclose Relationship
April	FTC Releases 2016 Annual Highlights FTC Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Royal Canadian Mounted Police FTC Halts Invention Promotion Scheme NetSpend Settles FTC Charges for $53 Million in Fintech Case FTC Requires ChemChina and Syngenta AG to Divest U.S. Pesticides Assets as Condition of Merger Cross-Border Enforcement Website to Offer International Consumer Authorities New Data Tools
March	FTC Preserves Competition in Face of Acquisition of Minority Interest in Competing Pipeline Company Three Companies Settle FTC Charges that They Deceived Consumers About Participation in International Privacy Program FTC Releases Annual Summary of Consumer Complaints Acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen and FCC Chairman Ajit Pai Issue Joint Statement on Protecting Americans’ Online Privacy
February	Second Billion Dollar Settlement with Volkswagen Requires Company to Repair or Buy Back 3.0 Liter TDI Diesel Vehicles VIZIO to Pay $2.2 Million to FTC, State of New Jersey to Settle Charges It Collected Viewing Histories on 11 Million Smart Televisions Without Users’ Consent FTC Settlement Puts a Stop to Money Mule Who Profited from India-Based Tax and Other Scams Mallinckrodt Will Pay $100 Million to Settle Charges that It Illegally Maintained Its Monopoly of Specialty Drug Used to Treat Infants President Trump Appoints Commissioner Ohlhausen Acting FTC Chairman; FTC Announces Management Changes in Bureaus of Consumer Protection and Competition FTC Releases New Report on Cross-Device Tracking
January (Supplemental Issue)	FTC and DOJ Issue Revised Antitrust Guidelines for International Enforcement and Cooperation FTC and DOJ Issue Updated Antitrust Guidelines for the Licensing of IP FTC Charges Qualcomm with Monopolizing Key Semiconductor Device Used in Cell Phones Western Union Co. Admits Anti-Money Laundering Violations and Settles Charges Related to International Consumer Fraud Schemes, Forfeits $586 Million, Must Establish Comprehensive Anti-Fraud Program FTC Sends Checks to Nearly 350,000 Victims of Herbalife’s Multi-Level Marketing Scheme FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez Issues Statement Following Adoption of the Swiss-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework
January	FTC Requires Divestitures in $13.53 Billion Deal Between Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi FTC Conditions Abbott Laboratories’ Proposed $25 Billion Acquisition of Rival Medical Device Maker St. Jude Medical, Inc. Operators of Canada-Based AshleyMadison.com Settle FTC, State Charges Resulting from 2015 Data Breach That Exposed 36 Million Users’ Profile Information FTC Charges D-Link Put Consumers’ Privacy at Risk Due to the Inadequate Security of Its Computer Routers and Cameras New York Times Details Raids of India-Based Tax Collection Impostors and Other Scams Netting Hundreds of Millions of Dollars
2016
December	FTC Issues “Sharing Economy” Report, Highlighting Competition Benefits and Consumer Protection Challenges FTC Issues Enforcement Policy Statement Regarding Marketing Claims for Over-the-Counter Homeopathic Drugs FTC Requires Parent Company of Bausch + Lomb to Divest Paragon FTC Pre-Merger Office Revises Informal Guidance on Documents Discussing Only Foreign Markets
November	FTC and DOJ Seek Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to International Antitrust Guidelines FTC and DOJ File Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Cases Involving Visa and MasterCard FTC Charges Multinational Tech Support Companies with Using Deceptive Pop-Up Ads to Scare Consumers into Purchasing Unneeded Services; FTC Teams Up with International and Domestic Law Enforcement Partners to Combat Such Imposter Frauds Federal Judge Approves FTC Order for Owners of Certain Volkswagen and Audi “Clean” Diesels to Receive Compensation
October	Court Bans Slovak Firm from Business Directory Business Marketers of Joint Pain Supplement Agree to Settle Charges of Deceptive Advertising and Endorsements FTC Releases Report on Patent Assertion Entities, Recommends Reforms FTC and Agriculture Department Announce Agenda for Roundtable on Consumer Perception of Organic Claims FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez Issues Statement on the Federal Communications Commission’s Broadband Consumer Privacy Proposal
September	FTC and DOJ Seek Comments on Intellectual Property Licensing Guides I Works Billing Scheme Ringleader Agrees to Settle FTC Charges FTC Blog Post Outlines How NIST Cybersecurity Framework Relates to FTC Data Security Program FTC Charges India-Based Academic Journal Publisher OMICS Group Deceived Researchers FTC Announces Agenda for Economic Conference on Marketing and Consumer Protection FTC and USDA to Host Roundtable in Washington, D.C. in October to Examine Consumer Perceptions of “Organic” Claims for Non-Agricultural Products
August	Herbalife Will Restructure Its Multi-Level Marketing Operations and Pay $200 Million for Consumer Redress To Settle FTC Charges FTC Sends Warning Letters to Online Sellers Making Zika Virus-Protection Claims FTC Issues Warning Letters to Companies Claiming APEC Cross-Border Privacy Certification Commission Finds LabMD Liable for Unfair Data Security Practices FTC Requires Teva To Divest More Than 75 Generic Drugs in Acquisition of Allergan’s Generic Business As a Condition of Acquiring Meda, FTC Requires Mylan To Divest Rights to Two Generic Drugs FTC Announces Fall Technology Series Workshops on Ransomware, Disclosures, Drones, and Other Topics Insights from the FTC’s Chief Technologist
July	Volkswagen To Spend up to $14.7 Billion To Settle Allegations of Cheating Emissions Tests and Deceiving Customers on 2.0 Liter Diesel Vehicles Chairwoman Ramirez Welcomes European Commission Approval of the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework FTC Staff Commends Key Principles for Online Reviews and Endorsements from the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network FTC and Florida Charge International Tech Support Operation with Tricking Consumers into Paying Millions for Bogus Services Singapore-Based Mobile Advertising Network Settles FTC Charges It Tracked Hundreds of Millions of Consumers’ Locations Without Permission FTC Challenges Proposed Merger of Canadian Chemical Companies FTC Requires Cement Manufacturers To Divest U.S. Assets as a Condition of Merger U.S. and Japanese Antitrust Heads Meet
June	FTC and 10 Foreign Agencies Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Combat Unsolicited Messages and Calls Electronic Health Records Company Settles FTC Charges It Deceived Consumers About Privacy of Doctor Reviews FTC and Department of Justice Sign Antitrust Cooperation Agreement with Peru’s Competition Agency FTC Testifies Before House Judiciary Subcommittee Regarding International Competition Policy and Enforcement FTC Requires Industrial Gas Suppliers to Divest Assets as a Condition of Merger Officials from the United States, Canada, and Mexico Participate in Trilateral Meeting in Toronto To Discuss Antitrust Enforcement FTC’s Premerger Notification Office Announces New Test To Determine Whether Foreign Entities Are Classified As Corporate Under HSR Rules New FTC Resources Warn Consumers About Imposter Scams Blog Post Explains FTC Staff’s Analysis of Antitrust Concerns That May Be Raised by the Acquisition of a Partial Interest in a Competitor
May	President Obama Issues Competition Call to Action U.S. Antitrust Agency Officials Meet with Officials of Chinese Antitrust Agencies Staples and Office Depot Abandon Merger After Successful FTC Challenge Chairwoman Ramirez Participates in ICN’s Fifteenth Annual Conference Supplier of High-Performance Polymer for Medical Implants Settles FTC Charges That It Monopolized Sales to World’s Largest Medical Device Makers Federal Court Finds Amazon Liable for Billing Parents for Children’s Unauthorized In-App Charges Hand-Held Vaporizer Company Settles FTC Charges It Deceived Consumers About Participation in Asia-Pacific International Privacy Program FTC To Study Mobile Device Industry’s Security Update Practices
April	FTC Chairwoman Ramirez Releases Annual Highlights for 2015 FTC Charges Volkswagen Deceived Consumers with Its “Clean Diesel” Campaign FTC Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) on Do Not Call, Spam Enforcement FTC Releases New Guidance for Developers of Mobile Health Apps FTC Releases Spanish-Language Video on Imposter Scams FTC Chief Technologist: “Time To Rethink Mandatory Password Changes” FTC Welcomes Revised OECD Guidelines for E-commerce Global Privacy Enforcement Network (GPEN) Issues Annual Report Highlighting Expansion
March	FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez Issues Statement on Release of EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework FTC Releases Annual Summary of Consumer Complaints ASUS Settles FTC Charges That Insecure Home Routers and “Cloud” Services Put Consumers’ Privacy at Risk FTC Takes Action Against Deceptive Claims by Online Schools FTC Requires Divestiture As a Condition of Hikma Pharmaceuticals Acquiring Certain Drug Products from Ben Venue Laboratories FTC Puts Conditions on Generic Drug Marketer Lupin’s Proposed Acquisition of Gavis Pharmaceuticals FTC Promotes Education for National Consumer Protection Week: Releases Blog and New Video on “Free Trials”
February	FTC Report Shows Potential Pay-for-Delay Deals Decreased Substantially Following Supreme Court’s Actavis Decision FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez Issues Statement on the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Agreement FTC Releases 2015 Privacy and Data Security Update FTC Announces Significant Enhancements to IdentityTheft.gov FTC Announces Annual Update of Thresholds for Premerger Notification Filings and Interlocking Directorates FTC ‘Fotonovela’ Tells Latino Community How to Avoid Car-Buying Problems
January	FTC Report Provides Recommendations to Business on Growing Use of Big Data FTC Issues Enforcement Policy Statement and Business Guidance on Native Advertising Lumosity to Pay $2 Million to Settle FTC Deceptive Advertising Charges for Its “Brain Training” Program LifeLock to Pay $100 Million to Consumers to Settle FTC Charges it Violated 2010 Order Oracle Agrees to Settle FTC Charges It Deceived Consumers About Java Software Updates ArcLight Energy Partners Fund to Divest Assets as a Condition of Acquiring Gulf Oil Ltd. Partnership FTC Blog Lists Top 10 Antitrust Developments of 2015 FTC Issues Biennial Report to Congress on the National Do Not Call Registry FTC Issues Annual Report on Ethanol Market Concentration
2015
December	FTC Challenges Merger of Staples and Office Depot Wyndham Hotels Settles Charges that It Put Consumers’ Payment Card Information at Risk Telemarketing Sales Rule Amended to Prohibit Payment Methods Favored by Scammers Ginger Jin Named Director of FTC’s Bureau of Economics; Alison Oldale Named BE Deputy Director for Antitrust Lorrie Cranor Appointed FTC Chief Technologist FTC and Federal Communications Commission Sign MOU
November	FTC Requires Mylan to Sell Rights to Seven Generic Pharmaceuticals as a Condition of Acquiring Perrigo Company Marketer of Rug Accessory Settles FTC Charges of Invitation to Collude with Competitor FTC and Seven International Partners Launch New Initiative to Boost Cooperation in Protecting Consumer Privacy Sprint Will Pay $2.95 Million Penalty to Settle FTC Charges It Violated Fair Credit Reporting Act FTC Concludes ECM BioFilms Made False, Misleading, and Unsubstantiated Claims About the Biodegradability of Plastic Products Treated with Its Additive FTC Testifies Before Congressional Committees on Fraud and Tech Support Scams Affecting Older Americans, Highlighting International Cooperation Against Cross-Border Scams FTC Testifies on Proposed Legislation Addressing Privacy and Security in Connected Automobiles
October	FTC and Consumer Protection Agencies from 33 Other Countries Unveil Updated Econsumer.gov Website FTC Sues Marketers Who Used “Gag Clauses,” Monetary Threats, and Lawsuits to Stop Negative Consumer Reviews for Unproven Weight-Loss Products FTC and DOJ Sign Antitrust Memorandum of Understanding with Korea Fair Trade Commission FTC Chairwoman Releases Statement Regarding the European Court of Justice Safe Harbor Framework Decision FTC Office of International Affairs Releases FY 2014 Technical Assistance Report
September	Commission Issues Statement of Principles Regarding Enforcement Against Unfair Methods of Competition Appellate Court Affirms FTC’s Authority to Hold Companies Accountable for Failing to Safeguard Consumer Data FTC Acts to Halt Multilevel Marketer of Health and Wellness Drinks as Alleged Pyramid Scheme Thirteen Companies Agree to Settle FTC Charges They Falsely Claimed To Comply with International Safe Harbor Framework FTC Announces First-Ever PrivacyCon Event for January 2016 FTC Awards $25,000 Top Cash Prize for Contest-Winning Mobile App That Blocks Illegal Robocalls
August	FTC Takes Action Against LifeLock for Alleged Violations of 2010 Order Supplement Marketers Will Relinquish $1.4 Million to Settle FTC Deceptive Advertising Charges Discount Retailers Dollar Tree and Family Dollar to Divest 330 Stores as Condition of Merger FTC Amicus Brief Urges Appeals Court to Overturn District Court Decision That Pay-for-Delay Pharmaceutical Settlements Violate Antitrust Laws Only If Paid in Cash FTC Publishes Information for Recent Refugees and Immigrants on Avoiding Scams FTC Kicks Off “Start With Security” Business Education Initiative
July	Sysco and US Foods Abandon Proposed Merger after Court Grants FTC’s Preliminary Injunction Motion Court Rules in Favor of FTC on Pharmaceutical Industry Patent Rights Reportable under HSR Act FTC Releases International Consumer Complaint Report FTC Joins Fellow Members of International Network to Address SMS Spam, Robocalls, and Affiliate Marketing FTC ‘Fotonovela’ Warns Latino Community About Notario Scams FTC to Host September Workshop to Examine Advertising for Over-the-Counter Homeopathic Products
June	Chairwoman Ramirez, Assistant Attorney General Baer, and Canadian and Mexican Officials Participate in Trilateral Meeting to Discuss Antitrust Enforcement; Ramirez Meets with Mexican Consumer and Privacy Officials FTC and Law Enforcement Partners Charge Four Sham Cancer Charities with Defrauding Over $187 Million from Consumers FTC Action Halts Global Sweepstakes Scam Targeting Older Consumers Cephalon Pay for Delay Case Ensures $1.2 Billion in Ill-Gotten Gains Will Go to Affected Purchasers Auto Parts Suppliers ZF Friedrichshafen and TRW Automotive Must Divest TRW’s Linkage and Suspension Business as Part of $12.4 Billion Deal FTC and DOJ Support U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Efforts to Increase the Quality of Granted Patents
May	FTC Participates in International Competition Network Conference That Releases Guidance on Procedural Fairness in Investigations and Cooperation in International Merger Enforcement International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network Hears Keynote from FTC Commissioner on Intersection of Privacy and Consumer Protection Cardinal Health Agrees To Disgorge $26.8 Million To Settle Charges It Monopolized 25 Markets for the Sale of Radiopharmaceuticals to Hospitals and Clinics FTC Halts Illegal Spammers’ Deceptive Marketing of Bogus Weight-Loss Products National Mortgage Servicing Company Settles FTC, CFPB Charges for $63 Million Two More Companies Settle FTC Charges over Membership in International Safe Harbor Framework
April	BMW Settles FTC Charges that Its MINI Division Illegally Conditioned Warranty Coverage on Use of Its Parts and Service FTC Halts Canadian Online ‘Yellow Pages’ Scammers FTC Requires Divestitures in Connection With Impax Laboratories Inc.’s Proposed Acquisition of CorePharma, LLC FTC Establishes New Consumer Protection Technology Office Global Privacy Enforcement Network Releases Annual Report Highlighting Increased Membership and Enhanced Enforcement Cooperation FTC Invites Applications from Counterpart Agencies Around the World for Its International Fellows Program
March	U.S. Supreme Court Affirms FTC Position in NC State Board of Dental Examiners FTC Conditions Novartis AG’s Proposed Acquisition of GlaxoSmithKline’s Oncology Drugs FTC Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Dutch Agency on Privacy Enforcement Cooperation Identity Theft Tops FTC’s Consumer Complaint Categories Again in 2014: Imposter Scams on the Rise FTC Collaborates with Canadian Agency on Robocall Contests to Combat Illegal Automated Calls
February	FTC Proposes to Study Merger Remedies To Cure Anticompetitive Merger Sun Pharmaceutical Agrees to Divest Ranbaxy Lab’s Generic Tablets for Treating Bacterial Infections FTC Report on Internet of Things Urges Companies to Adopt Best Practices to Address Consumer Privacy and Security Risks Prepaid Mobile Provider TracFone to Pay $40 Million to Settle FTC Charges It Deceived Consumers About ‘Unlimited’ Data Plans Two Defendants in Canada-Based Telemarketing Scheme Settle FTC Charges
January	President Obama Visits FTC T-Mobile to Pay At Least $90 Million, Including Full Consumer Refunds, To Settle FTC Mobile Cramming Case FTC Warns Chinese Children’s App Maker About Possible Children’s Privacy Law Violations FTC Conditions Eli Lilly’s Proposed Acquisition of Novartis Animal Health
2014
December	FTC Conditions Medtronic’s Proposed Acquisition of Covidien Sony Settles FTC Charges Over Misleading Ads For PlayStation Vita Gaming Console FTC Issues FY 2014 National Do Not Call Registry Data Book
November	FTC Celebrates 100th Anniversary FTC Charges Gerber with Falsely Advertising That Its Good Start Gentle Formula Protects Infants from Developing Allergies Leading Propane Exchange Tank Suppliers Settle Collusion Charges
October	AT&T to Pay $105 Million in Mobile Cramming Case: $80 Million Will Go to FTC for Refunds to Consumers Who Were Crammed U.S. Agencies Sign Antitrust Cooperation Agreement with Colombia At FTC’s Request, Court Halts Bogus Bitcoin Mining Operation
September	Google to Refund Consumers at Least $19 Million to Settle FTC Complaint It Unlawfully Billed Parents for Children’s Unauthorized In-App Charges Dramamine Maker Agrees To Divest Competing Motion Sickness Drug Following Acquisition To Settle FTC Charges FTC Announces Winners of “Zapping Rachel” Robocall Contest FTC Is Cosponsoring September 8-10 African Consumer Protection Dialogue Conference
August	FTC Alleges Amazon Unlawfully Billed Parents for Millions of Dollars in Children’s Unauthorized In-App Charges Feature: Mobile Payments Mobile Cramming Mobile Shopping Apps Two Barcode Resellers Invited Competitors to Collude FTC Renews Partnership with Saskatchewan Law Enforcement Agencies to Fight Cross-Border Fraud
July	FTC Alleges T-Mobile Knowingly Crammed Millions of Dollars in Bogus Charges onto Customers’ Phone Bills FTC Puts Conditions on Actavis plc’s Acquisition of Forest Laboratories, Inc. FTC Testifies on Geolocation Privacy Feature: Misleading Health Claims
June	FTC Releases International Consumer Complaints Report for 2013 Chairwoman Ramirez Meets with Officials of Chinese Antitrust Agencies
May	Terrell McSweeny Begins Term as FTC Commissioner FTC Bureau of Competition Director Issues Report on Work of the Bureau over the Past Year International Competition Network Adopts Recommended Practices for Predatory Pricing Analysis and Advances Convergence on Confidentiality Protections FTC Charges Operators of “Jerk.com” Website with Deceiving Consumers
April	FTC Chairwoman Releases FTC 2013 Annual Highlights FTC Signs Memorandum of Understanding with UK Privacy Enforcement Agency: Also Introduces EU/APEC Mapping Tool for Cross-Border Data Transfer Systems U.S. and Canadian Antitrust Agencies Issue Best Practices for Coordinating Merger Reviews ICN Holds Roundtable on Investigative Process
March	Conferences Highlight FTC Contributions to the Development of Antitrust Policy and Current International Antitrust Enforcement Challenges Antitrust Officials from the United States, Canada, and Mexico Participate in Trilateral Meeting to Discuss Antitrust Enforcement FTC Consumer Sentinel Data Book Documents $1.6 Billion in Losses Reported via Consumer Complaints in 2013; ID Theft Comprises 14 Percent of the 2 Million Complaints
February	Apple Settles with FTC for $32.5 million over Kids’ In-App Purchases FTC Settles with Twelve Companies Falsely Claiming to Comply with International Privacy Safe Harbor FTC Issues Opinion and Order Finding McWane, Inc. Unlawfully Maintained Monopoly in Domestic Pipe Fittings U.S. and Chinese Antitrust Officials Hold High Level Meetings
January	FTC Issues Performance and Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 2013 Professional Associations Agree To Eliminate Ethics Provisions Limiting Competition Android Flashlight App Developer Settles FTC Charges It Deceived Consumers About Use of Information FTC Recruits International Fellows from Counterpart Agencies Around the World
2013
December	FTC Testifies before Congress on Its Work to Protect Consumers and Promote Competition As the Agency Approaches Its 100th Anniversary FTC Provides Input on the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Framework to European Commission Chairwoman Ramirez Testifies on Enforcement of U.S. Antitrust Laws
October/November	FTC and DOJ Release Updated Model Waiver of Confidentiality for International Civil Matters Chairwoman Ramirez Addresses Trans Atlantic Consumer Dialogue at Special Meeting on Consumer Protection and Transatlantic Trade Negotiations Chairwoman Ramirez Addresses Global Antitrust Enforcement Symposium FTC Sues to Stop Massive Sweepstakes Scam Victimizing Consumers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Japan, and Other Countries
September	FTC Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Nigerian Civil and Criminal Enforcement Authorities FTC Co-Hosts Fifth Annual African Consumer Protection Dialogue Conference FTC Submits Proposed Amicus Curiae Brief Concerning “No-Authorized-Generic” Commitments in Drug Companies’ Patent Settlements

FTC International Monthly

About the FTC

News & Events

Enforcement

Policy

Tips & Advice

I Would Like To...

Site Information