On November 3, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission announced a proposed order to settle an action against an internet phone service provider, Vonage, that would require Vonage to pay $100 million in refunds to customers harmed by its practices, which the FTC alleged included “dark patterns” that made it difficult for customers to cancel their service.
Continue Reading $100M FTC Enforcement Action Against Internet Phone Service Provider for Dark Patterns

On October 24, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission announced a proposed consent order with Drizly, an online alcohol ordering and delivery service, and the company’s CEO, for the company’s alleged failure to maintain appropriate security safeguards that led to a data breach that affected 2.5 million consumers’ personal information.
Continue Reading FTC Takes Action Against Drizly and its CEO for Alleged Security Failures that Exposed Data of 2.5 Million Consumers

On September 21, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission announced the agenda for its “Protecting Kids from Stealth Advertising in Digital Media” virtual event to be held on October 19, 2022.
Continue Reading FTC Announces Agenda for “Protecting Kids from Stealth Advertising in Digital Media” Event

On September 15, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act. The Act, which takes effect July 1, 2024, places new legal obligations on companies with respect to online products and services that are likely to be accessed by children under the age of 18.
Continue Reading California Enacts the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act

On September 6, 2022, the California legislature presented Assembly Bill 2392 to Governor Gavin Newsom. AB-2392, which has not yet been signed by Governor Newsom, would allow Internet-connected device manufacturers to satisfy existing device labeling requirements by complying with National Institute of Standards and Technology standards for consumer Internet of Things products.
Continue Reading New California Legislation Adds to Existing Smart Device Labeling Requirements

On August 23, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission announced it is seeking additional public comment on “how children are affected by digital advertising and marketing messages that may blur the line between ads and entertainment” in conjunction with its “Protecting Kids from Stealth Advertising in Digital Media” event on October 19, 2022.
Continue Reading FTC Extends Public Comment Period on Advertising to Kids in Digital Media