Tag Archives: Consumer Protection

Instead of Shining a Light on Dark Patterns, New FTC Report Leaves Many Questions Unanswered

By Daniel Kaufman and Randal M. Shaheen on September 20, 2022 Posted in FTC

For some time now, dark patterns have been quite the trending topic for both marketers and privacy professionals. Regulators have frequently railed against dark patterns that purport to manipulate user choices, usually through manipulative user interfaces. A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation called the DETOUR Act that would ban dark patterns. And outside this … Continue Reading

So Many Words – The FTC’s Recent Strategic Planning Reports Do Actually Matter

By Daniel Kaufman on September 6, 2022 Posted in FTC

Because I’m someone who is inherently suspicious, my antennae perked up the other Friday when the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released its annual strategic planning documents. Friday releases in the summer always make me suspicious (what are you trying to bury on this Friday afternoon when I am pondering the weekend?); further, these documents included … Continue Reading

Roomster Gets a One-Star Review from the FTC and Six States

By Daniel Kaufman and Victoria Weatherford on September 2, 2022 Posted in FTC

2022 continues to be the Year of the Review for consumer protection law enforcers. We have seen several cases already this year, and the latest suit has the added bonus of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) teaming up with a bipartisan group of six states to sue one company and three individuals. The company of … Continue Reading

Understanding the FTC Penalty Box

By Daniel Kaufman on January 10, 2022 Posted in Civil Penalties, FTC

Much like an artist looking for a muse, I keep up with consumer protection developments and ponder – is this blog-worthy? Well, the other day, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the annual updates to its civil penalty numbers. I yawned and returned to the task at hand. My colleague Amy, however, wisely thought that … Continue Reading

Tallying Complaints: Don’t Count Your FTC Chickens Before They Hatch

By Daniel Kaufman on December 1, 2021 Posted in FTC

I was an FTCer for many years, and one issue we would face every few years was how to objectively measure the success (or failure) of a law enforcement agency. It is an important issue that has to be addressed when crafting an agencywide strategic plan, a draft of which was released a few weeks … Continue Reading

Taking a Break from the FTC Drama

By Daniel Kaufman on November 19, 2021 Posted in FTC

The latest Federal Trade Commission (FTC or Commission) public meeting was notable for what did not happen – there were no 3-2 votes taken over the strong objections of the Republican commissioners. With former Commissioner Rohit Chopra’s departure to head the CFPB, for at least the next few weeks – or, more likely, months – … Continue Reading

Allow Me To Introduce Myself

By Daniel Kaufman on October 25, 2021 Posted in FTC

I’m a longtime consumer protection practitioner but a new blogger in a new role. Now, I am well aware that there are many talented folks out there writing about these issues, but I will try my best to make these entries worthwhile, concise and valuable reads, with maybe just a touch of snark. And after … Continue Reading