FTC looking into official Apple store on Amazon, negative impact on resellers
The Federal Trade Commission is investigating the deal that allowed Apple to launch direct sales of its products on Amazon, according to The Verge. The official Apple store on Amazon aimed to address counterfeit and misleading marketed devices, but it also negatively affected third-party resellers.
The FTC wants to know exactly why Facebook bought Instagram and WhatsApp
The Federal Trade Commission's antitrust investigation into Facebook will focus in on the tech giant's acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp. The FTC wants to know if Facebook tried to acquire its social media rivals before they would become a threat to its business
How to avoid scams while filing your Equifax settlement claim
it didn’t take long for scammers to start using the Equifax settlement as a way to get your personal information. According to the FTC, people have already set up copycat websites trying to bilk people into handing over private data -- or even cash.
Privacy group sues FTC, says $5 billion Facebook fine is chump change
Earlier this week Facebook settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over privacy violations to the tune of $5 billion, the largest fine in the history of the FTC. While certainly huge, one privacy group thinks that the $5 billion fine doesn't go far enough to address consumer concerns.
How to file a claim for $125 if you were hit by the 2017 Equifax data breach
If your Social Security number was exposed in the 2017 Equifax data breach, you can finally file a claim for $125 -- or potentially more -- in compensation. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has set up a one-stop-shop website for all claims
If a $5 billion fine won’t get Facebook under control, what will?
Facebook will pay the Federal Trade Commission a $5 billion fine as part of a settlement over privacy violations announced on Wednesday, but don't expect the company to meaningfully change its behavior. The punishment seems huge, but is not a major hit to Facebook's bottom line.
Facebook to pay a historic $5 billion penalty in final settlement with FTC
The FTC has officially penalized Facebook a groundbreaking $5 billion, the largest in FTC history. Facebook will also have to submit to new restrictions, as well as a modified corporate structure that will hold the company accountable in decisions made about users’ privacy.
Facebook let advertisers target you using two-factor authentication numbers
A complaint coming with an expected $5 billion settlement between Facebook and the FTC will say that Facebook improperly allowed advertisers to use phone numbers users used for two-factor authentication to target ads.
FTC and authorities crack down on companies responsible for 1 billion robocalls
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and law enforcement officials announced a new crackdown against illegal robocalls on Tuesday, targeting companies responsible for over a billion of the annoying calls.
Advocacy group asks FTC to investigate if Amazon Echo Dot spies on kids
An advocacy group wants to know if the company is storing information about children. The Campaign for A Commercial-Free Childhood is asking the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the Echo Dot Kids Edition to find out if the device is effectively spying on its young users.
FTC forces the closure of four major robocall scam operators
Chasing down illegal robocall operators must feel like a game of whack-a-mole for the FTC, but the fight goes on. The commission recently announced it had forced the closure of four separate operations responsible for bombarding people across the United States with billions of scam calls.
FTC levies huge fine on merchant for fake, paid-for Amazon reviews
Fake, paid-for reviews are an ongoing problem for shopping websites like Amazon, but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently came down hard on one perpetrator, fining it millions of dollars for deploying bogus reviews in a bid to score more sales of a weight-loss product.
U.S. Senate presses FTC to investigate video game loot boxes
Following a hearing and statement from Senator Maggie Hassan, the FTC's commissioners said that they plan to investigate video game loot boxes in order to determine if they need more oversight. Loot boxes have already been targeted in countries like Belgium, which views them as gambling.
Consumers don’t have to use genuine parts to maintain a warranty, FTC says
In its review of warranty policies, the FTC slams six companies for forcing consumers to use genuine parts or obtain service from an authorized partner to maintain their warranty coverage. The FTC said consumers should be allowed to use their devices with any peripherals, accessories, or software.
AMD indirectly blasts Nvidia’s GeForce Partners Program in open letter
After allegations surfaced on Nvidia's anti-competitive and restrictive GeForce Partners Program, AMD penned an open letter blasting its rivals. AMD highlighted freedom as part of its philosophy, stating that freedom of choice is a staple of PC gaming, and that freedom will also extend to AMD's partners.
Those ‘warranty void if removed’ stickers are illegal, says the FTC
No longer will you have to resign yourself to a life in which you refrain from pulling off stickers that read "warranty void if removed." As it turns out, these stickers are not only ugly, but in fact deceptive and potentially illegal in the U.S., as per the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
United States Senator pens letter to ESRB calling for loot box regulations
Senator Maggie Hassan wants the ESRB to collect data on loot boxes to increase transparency of the practice.
FTC won’t stop Lenovo and others from selling adware-infected hardware
Lenovo has been given a slap on the wrist for its Superfish adware shenanigans, but does have to accept audits of its preinstalled software.
Amazon has begun issuing refunds for kids’ in-app purchases, FTC says
Amazon has finally agreed to reimburse its customers for unauthorized in-app purchases made mostly by children.
FTC head wants the Internet of Things to regulate itself
The acting head of the FTC has said that she doesn't want to regulate the IoT industry and that manufacturers should use best practices.
South Korea’s antitrust watchdog concerned Google meddled with Samsung’s Tizen
South Korea's Fair Trade Commission confirmed it launched an investigation into whether Google meddled with Samsung's Tizen development.
Twitter CEO says new tools to fight online abuses are almost here
Also today: The FTC drops the hammer on Vizio over data collection, and YouTube rolls out live mobile video feature, but not to everyone.
Federal Trade Commission hits Qualcomm with a lawsuit over its licensing practices
The FTC has sued Qualcomm, alleging that the company is abusing its dominance in the mobile industry by charging extra fees for patent use.
FTC lawsuit alleges D-Link routers and webcams are vulnerable to attack
D-Link is in some hot water over an alleged inability to keep its wireless routers and webcams secure, according to an FTC lawsuit.
Ashley Madison agrees to $17.5 million fine, will pay $1.6 million for now
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) agreed to a $17.5 million settlement with Ashley Madison's site operators, following the August 2015 data breach.
Tech support scams are getting more sophisticated, says new study
A new study from Malwarebytes shows the growing threat of tech support scams, which are moving away from cold calls to nuanced software scams.
Why is it so hard to cancel a subscription to Jessica Alba’s Honest Company?
Consumers are complaining that Jessica Alba's Honest Company signs them up for subscriptions they didn't want and makes it nearly impossible to quit.
Apple's troubles in Japan continue as antitrust watchdog may spring into action
Japan's Fair Trade Commission looks to make some noise by taking action against Apple and three of the country's top carriers.
Tesla just moved one step closer to SolarCity acquisition
The FTC has approved the Tesla SolarCity Acquisition. There are more steps to go in the process, but the FTC has ruled out antitrust concerns.
Amazon Japan accused of using its power for evil, has its offices raided
The Japanese FTC conducted an on-site inspection of Amazon Japan's offices, with the agency accusing Amazon's Japanese arm of unfair business practices.
Federal Trade Commission cracking down on nondisclosed celebrity ads
It's fine with the Federal Trade Commission if celebrities are paid to endorse products, as long as it's absolutely clear they're being compensated.