Privacy and Security Enforcement
When companies tell consumers they will safeguard their personal information, the FTC can and does take law enforcement action to make sure that companies live up these promises. The FTC has brought legal actions against organizations that have violated consumers’ privacy rights, or misled them by failing to maintain security for sensitive consumer information, or caused substantial consumer injury. In many of these cases, the FTC has charged the defendants with violating Section 5 of the FTC Act, which bars unfair and deceptive acts and practices in or affecting commerce. In addition to the FTC Act, the agency also enforces other federal laws relating to consumers’ privacy and security.
- Vivint Smart Home, Inc. ( )
- Intellivision, In the Matter of ( )
- Gravy Analytics, Inc., In the Matter of ( )
- Mobilewalla, Inc., In the Matter of ( )
- Facebook, Inc., In the Matter of ( )
- Marriott International, Inc. and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, LLC, In the Matter of ( )
- Verkada Inc., U.S. v. ( )
- FTC v Kochava, Inc. ( )
- NGL ( )
- Avast ( )
- Monument, Inc., U.S. v. ( )
- Cerebral, Inc. and Kyle Robertson, U.S. v. ( )
- Blackbaud, Inc. ( )
- BetterHelp, Inc., In the Matter of ( )
- Aqua Finance ( )
- InMarket Media, LLC ( )
- Ring, LLC ( )
- X-Mode Social, Inc. ( )
- Rite Aid Corporation, FTC v. ( )
- Global Tel Link Corporation ( )
- FTC Finalizes Order with Marriott and Starwood Requiring Them to Implement a Robust Data Security Program to Address Security Failures ( )
- FTC Sends Payments to Consumers Harmed by Vivint’s Misuse of Consumer Credit Reports ( )
- FTC Takes Action Against IntelliVision Technologies for Deceptive Claims About its Facial Recognition Software ( )
- FTC Takes Action Against Mobilewalla for Collecting and Selling Sensitive Location Data ( )
- FTC Takes Action Against Gravy Analytics, Venntel for Unlawfully Selling Location Data Tracking Consumers to Sensitive Sites ( )
- Smart Products Surveyed Fail to Provide Consumers with Information on How Long Companies will Provide Software Updates ( )
- FTC Takes Action Against Marriott and Starwood Over Multiple Data Breaches ( )
- FTC Staff Report Finds Large Social Media and Video Streaming Companies Have Engaged in Vast Surveillance of Users with Lax Privacy Controls and Inadequate Safeguards for Kids and Teens ( )
- FTC Sends Refunds to Consumers Harmed by CafePress’s Data Security Failures ( )
- FTC Announces Tentative Agenda for September 19 Open Commission Meeting ( )
- FTC Sends Refunds to Consumers Deceived by Genetic Testing Firm 1Health.io Over Data Deletion and Security Practices ( )
- New FTC Data Shows Massive Increase in Losses to Bitcoin ATM Scams ( )
- FTC Takes Action Against Security Camera Firm Verkada over Charges it Failed to Secure Videos, Other Personal Data and Violated CAN-SPAM Act ( )
- FTC Investigation Leads to Lawsuit Against TikTok and ByteDance for Flagrantly Violating Children’s Privacy Law ( )
- FTC Issues Orders to Eight Companies Seeking Information on Surveillance Pricing ( )
- FTC, ICPEN, GPEN Announce Results of Review of Use of Dark Patterns Affecting Subscription Services, Privacy ( )
- FTC Order Will Ban NGL Labs and its Founders from Offering Anonymous Messaging Apps to Kids Under 18 and Halt Deceptive Claims Around AI Content Moderation ( )
- FTC Finalizes Order with Avast Banning it from Selling or Licensing Web Browsing Data for Advertising and Requiring it to Pay $16.5 Million ( )
- Statement of the Commission Regarding TikTok Complaint Referral to DOJ ( )
- FTC Finalizes Order with Blackbaud Related to Allegations the Firm’s Security Failures Led to Data Breach ( )
- As holiday shopping begins, the FTC and IRS agree: scams and identity theft are always bad for business( )
- Protecting consumers’ location data: Key takeaways from four recent cases( )
- Unpacking Real Time Bidding through FTC’s case on Mobilewalla( )
- Selling facial recognition technology or other biometric information technologies? Stick to the facts( )
- Marriott’s settlement with the FTC: What it means for businesses( )
- Operation AI Comply: continuing the crackdown on overpromises and AI-related lies( )
- Bitcoin ATMs: A payment portal for scammers ( )
- FTC Says Surveillance Camera Company Verkada Has A Lotta Explaining To Do After Lax Data Security Practices and More( )
- $43.5 million in redress and debt cancellation to servicemembers, military spouses, and other consumers due to multiple missteps by education provider Career Step( )
- No, hashing still doesn't make your data anonymous( )
- Behind the FTC’s Inquiry into Surveillance Pricing Practices( )
- How is a student debt relief outfit allegedly misleading consumers? Let us count the ways. ( )
- Anonymous messaging app targeting teens: Read the disturbing allegations in FTC and Los Angeles DA action against NGL( )
- First FTC Impersonation Rule case: Why it matters to 43 million consumers – and to your business( )
- Succor borne every minute( )
- How the FTC is showing its commitment to protecting renters’ rights( )
- Safeguards Rule notification requirement now in effect( )
- Cars & Consumer Data: On Unlawful Collection & Use( )
- Aqua Finance’s sales, financing, and FCRA practices land company in hot water( )
- Updated FTC Health Breach Notification Rule puts new provisions in place to protect users of health apps and devices ( )
- The Attention Economy: Monopolizing Kids’ Time OnlineFebruary 25, 2025
- PrivacyCon 2024March 6, 2024
- Open Commission Meeting -January 18, 2024January 18, 2024
- Open Commission Meeting - May 18, 2023May 18, 2023
- Open Commission Meeting - December 14, 2022December 14, 2022
- Open Commission Meeting - September 15, 2022September 15, 2022
- Open Commission Meeting -May 19, 2022May 19, 2022
- Open Commission Meeting – October 21, 2021October 21, 2021
- Open Commission Meeting – September 15, 2021September 15, 2021
- PrivacyCon 2021July 27, 2021
- Bringing Dark Patterns to Light: An FTC WorkshopApril 29, 2021
- Identity Theft Awareness Week Podcast: The FTC and Identity Theft Resource Center talk about identity theft and COVID-19February 5, 2021
- Identity Theft Awareness Week Facebook Live Event: The FTC and AARP discuss identity theftFebruary 4, 2021
- Identity Theft Awareness Week: The FTC and Identity Theft Resource Center partner for a LinkedIn Story “takeover”February 3, 2021
- Identity Theft Awareness Week Webinar: Ripple Effects of COVID-19-Related Identity Theft & Tips to Protect Yourself in 2021February 1, 2021
- Data To Go: An FTC Workshop on Data PortabilitySeptember 22, 2020
- PrivacyCon 2020July 21, 2020
- Information Security and Financial Institutions: FTC Workshop to Examine Safeguards RuleJuly 13, 2020
- Tax ID Theft Awareness Week Twitter Chat: Protecting Against Tax ID Theft and Government Imposter ScamsFebruary 6, 2020
- Tax ID Theft Awareness Week Webinar with the FTC and Identity Theft Resource CenterFebruary 6, 2020
- Concurring Statement of Commissioner Melissa Holyoak Joined In Part By Commissioner Alvaro M. Bedoya In the Matter of Gravy Analytics, Inc. ( )
- Concurring Statement of Commissioner Andrew N. Ferguson In the Matter of IntelliVision Technologies Corp. ( )
- Keynote Remarks of Commissioner Alvaro M. Bedoya Before ForumGlobal’s Sixth Annual Data Privacy Conference USA ( )
- Remarks of Commissioner Melissa Holyoak at National Advertising Division Keynote 2024 ( )
- Remarks of Samuel Levine at the National Advertising Division Annual Conference 2024 ( )
- Breaking the Cycle: Addressing Underlying Causes of Systemic Data Risk ( )
- Concurring Statement of Commissioner Melissa Holyoak Regarding Verkada, Inc. ( )
- Concurring Statement of Commissioner Melissa Holyoak In the Matter of Kochava Inc. ( )
- Concurring Statement of Commissioner Andrew N. Ferguson Joined by Commissioner Melissa Holyoak In the Matter of NGL Labs, LLC, et al. ( )
- Concurring Statement of Commissioner Melissa Holyoak In the Matter of NGL Labs, LLC ( )
- Remarks of Commissioner Andrew N. Ferguson at the 2024 Taiwan International Conference on Competition Policy/Law Innovation Competition and Sustainability ( )
- Statement of the Federal Trade Commission In the Matter of Bytedance/Musical.ly ( )
- Chair Khan Opening Statement at House Committee on Appropriations , Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government ( )
- Joint Statement of Chair Khan, Joined by Commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya, Regarding the Health Breach Notification Rule ( )
- Statement of Commissioner Holyoak, Joined by Commissioner Ferguson, Regarding the Health Breach Notification Rule ( )
- Statement of Chair Lina M. Khan Joined by Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Commissioner Alvaro M. Bedoya in the Matter of Avast Limited ( )
- Remarks by Chair Lina M. Khan as Prepared for Delivery at Harvard Center for Labor and a Just Economy ( )
- Letter from Chair Khan to Rep. Jim Jordan, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Regarding the FTC's Investigation of Potential Third-Party Access to the Information of Twitter Users ( )
- Statement of Chair Khan, Joined by Commissioners Slaughter and Bedoya, Regarding the Final Trade Regulation Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses ( )
- Remarks of Benjamin Wiseman at the Harvard Journal of Law & Technology on Worker Surveillance and AI ( )
- Application of Title V, Subtitle A, of the G-L-B Act, and of the Commission's Privacy Rule, to Attorneys At Law ( )
- Section 603(k): Definition of "adverse action" ( )
- Section 615(a): Required notice of adverse action based on a consumer report ( )
- Section 604(a)(3)(A): Credit transaction ( )
- Section 604(a)(2): Written authorization of consumer ( )
- Section 609: Disclosures to consumers ( )
- Section 609(a)(3): Identification of recipients ( )
- Section 603(g): Definition of "file" ( )
- Section 612: Charges for disclosures ( )
- Section 611(a): Investigation of consumer disputes by CRAs ( )
- Section 623(b): Duty of furnishers to investigate consumer disputes ( )
- Section 604(a)(3)(F): Legitimate business need ( )
- Section 603(d)(1): Definition of "consumer report" (general) ( )
- Section 616-617: Civil liability ( )
- Section 609(a)(1): Information to be disclosed ( )
- Section 604(a)(3)(C): Underwriting of insurance ( )
- Section 623(a)(1): Duty of furnishers to provide accurate information ( )
- Section 623(a)(5): Duty of furnishers to provide date of delinquency on charge-off, collection or similar accounts ( )
- Section 605(a)(4): Section 605(c) Time limits: Charge-off and collection accounts ( )
- Section 623(a)(2): Duty of furnishers to correct and update information ( )
- Smart Device Makers' Failure to Provide Updates May Leave You Smarting ( )
- Protecting Older Consumers 2023-2024: A Report of the Federal Trade Commission ( )
- A Look Behind the Screens: Examining the Data Practices of Social Media and Video Streaming Services ( )
- 6(b) Orders to File Special Report Regarding Surveillance Pricing Involving Intermediary Companies ( )
- The FTC’s Efforts in the Greater Fight Against Ransomware and Cyber-Related Attacks ( )
- The U.S. SAFE WEB Act and the FTC’s Fight Against Cross-Border Fraud ( )
- Protecting Older Consumers 2022-2023: A Report of the Federal Trade Commission ( )
- Bringing Dark Patterns to Light ( )
- Combatting Online Harms Through Innovation ( )
- Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2021 ( )
- A Look at What ISPs Know About You: Examining the Privacy Practices of Six Major Internet Service Providers ( )
- FTC Report to Congress on Privacy and Security ( )
- Federal Trade Commission 2020 Privacy and Data Security Update ( )
- Protecting Consumers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Year in Review ( )
- Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2020 ( )
- 6(b) Orders to File Special Reports to Social Media and Video Streaming Service Providers ( )
- Social Media Bots and Advertising: FTC Report to Congress ( )
- Reports in Response to Senate Appropriations Committee Report 116-111 on the FTC’s Use of Its Authorities and the Resources Used and Needed to Protect Consumer Privacy and Security ( )
- Privacy & Data Security Update for 2019 ( )
- Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2019 ( )
- Comment from the Federal Trade Commission on Artificial Intelligence and Copyright ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in Docket No. R-1748, RIN 7100-AG15, Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing ( )
- FTC Staff Letter to Department of Health and Human Services Concerning the 21st Century Cures Act: Interoperability, Information Blocking and the ONC Health IT Certification Program Rule ( )
- Comment of the Staff of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection: Preliminary Draft for the NIST Privacy Framework ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the NTIA: Developing the Administration’s Approach to Consumer Privacy ( )
- Comment of the Staff of the Bureau of Consumer Protection, the Bureau of Competition, and the Bureau of Economics of the Federal Trade Commission Before the Federal Communications Commission: In the Matter of Restoring Internet Freedom ( )
- FTC Comment to the National Telecommunications & Information Administration on “Communicating IoT Device Security Update Capability to Improve Transparency for Consumers” ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Regarding the Safety Working Groups “Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure ‘Early Stage’ Template” ( )
- Comment of Jessica L. Rich, Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Supporting the Inclusion of Consumer Privacy and Cybersecurity Guidance in the Document “Federal Automated Vehicles Policy” ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the NTIA: The Benefits, Challenges, and Potential Roles for the Government in Fostering the Advancement of the Internet of Things ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the Federal Communications Commission: In the Matter of Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other Telecommunications Services ( )
- Comment Filed by Jessica Rich on Privacy Enforcement Implications of FCC’s Proposed Set-Top Box Rulemaking ( )
- Comment Filed by Jessica Rich, Discussing Voluntary Code of Conduct for Utilities and Third Parties Providing Consumer Energy Use Services ( )
- FTC Comment Before the FCC Concerning Proposed Cyber Security Certification Program ( )
- Shanahan v. IXL Learning, Inc. ( )
- Nelson v. Experian Information Solutions, Inc. ( )
- Ritz, et al. v. Nissan-Infiniti LT ( )
- Roberts v. Carter-Young, Inc. ( )
- Khalilah Suluki v. Credit One Bank, NA ( )
- Jones v. Google ( )
- Holden v. Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Inc. ( )
- FTC, CFPB Submit Amicus Brief Defending Consumers’ Ability to Dispute Inaccurate Items on Credit Reports ( )
- Sessa v. TransUnion, LLC ( )
- Henderson v. The Source for Public Data, L.P., et al. ( )
- Anthony Rivera v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ( )
- Moran v. The Screening Pros LLC ( )
- Shamara T. King v. General Information Services, Inc. ( )
- Safeco Ins. Co. v. Burr; GEICO Gen. Ins. Co. v. Edo ( )
- Whitfield v. Radian Guaranty, Inc ( )
- Ashby v. Farmers Group, Inc ( )
- Spano v. SAFECO Insurance Co ( )
- Cole v. U.S. Capital, Inc. et al. ( )
- Willes v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co ( )
- Rausch v. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. ( )
- FTC Safeguards Rule: What Your Business Needs to Know ( )
- Mobile Health App Interactive Tool ( )
- Collecting, Using, or Sharing Consumer Health Information? Look to HIPAA, the FTC Act, and the Health Breach Notification Rule ( )
- Health Breach Notification Rule: The Basics for Business ( )
- Complying with FTC’s Health Breach Notification Rule ( )
- Start with Security: A Guide for Business ( )
- Using Consumer Reports: What Landlords Need to Know ( )
- Mobile Health App Developers: FTC Best Practices ( )
- Data Breach Response: A Guide for Business ( )
- Consumer Reports: What Information Furnishers Need to Know ( )
- Careful Connections: Keeping the Internet of Things Secure ( )
- Complying with COPPA: Frequently Asked Questions ( )
- Stick with Security: A Business Blog Series ( )
- Digital Copier Data Security: A Guide for Businesses ( )
- Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule: A Six-Step Compliance Plan for Your Business ( )
- Businesses Must Provide Victims and Law Enforcement with Transaction Records Relating to Identity Theft ( )
- App Developers: Start with Security ( )
- Small Business Computer Security Basics ( )
- Conceptos básicos sobre seguridad informática para pequeños negocios ( )
- Using Consumer Reports for Credit Decisions: What to Know About Adverse Action and Risk-Based Pricing Notices ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission: The Urgent Need to Fix Section 13(b) of the FTC Act ( )
- Opening Statement Of Acting Chairwoman Rebecca Kelly Slaughter before the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce: The Urgent Need To Fix Section 13(B) Of The FTC Act ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission: Curbing COVID Cons: Warning Consumers about Pandemic Frauds, Scams, and Swindles ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission: Strengthening the Federal Trade Commission's Authority to Protect Consumers ( )
- Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission ( )
- Statement of Commissioner Noah Joshua Phillips Regarding the Hearing on Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission ( )
- Written Testimony of Commissioner Chopra Before the House Judiciary, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law: “Hearing on Online Platforms and Market Power, Part 3: The Role of Data and Privacy in Competition” ( )
- Opening Statement of Commissioner Chopra Before the House Judiciary, Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law: “Hearing on Online Platforms and Market Power, Part 3: The Role of Data and Privacy in Competition” ( )
- Statement of Commissioner Noah Joshua Phillips Before the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce ( )
- Prepared Remarks of Chairman Joseph J. Simons on “Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission: Strengthening Protections for American’s Privacy and Data Security” ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission: “Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission,” Before the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce ( )
- Prepared Opening Remarks of Commissioner Rohit Chopra Before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce “Oversight of the Federal Trade Commission” ( )
- Oral Statement of Commissioner Christine S. Wilson as Prepared for Delivery Before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce ( )
- Statement of Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter Before the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission Before the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the Oversight and Reform Committee, United States House of Representatives ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission Before the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission: “Oversight of the FTC,” Before the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate ( )
- Statement of Commissioner Noah Joshua Phillips Before the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security of the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation ( )
- Prepared Statement of FTC Commissioner Noah Joshua Phillips before the House Energy and Commerce Committee ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission: The Fair Credit Reporting Act, Credit Bureaus, and Data Security, Before the Committee On Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, United States Senate ( )
