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LONDON (AP) — Amazon called off its purchase of robot vacuum maker iRobot on Monday, blaming “undue and disproportionate regulatory hurdles" after the European Union signaled its objection to the deal. The deal faced antitrust scrutiny on both sides of the Atlantic, but most strongly in Europe, where regulators investigating competition concerns were expected to issue a final decision by Feb. 14. Amazon announced in 2022 that it would buy iRobot, maker of the circular-shaped Roomba vacuum, for $1.7 billion in cash. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesWhile British antitrust regulators cleared the purchase in June, it also still faced scrutiny in the U.S. by the Federal Trade Commission. This is the latest example of a deal involving U.S. companies that fell apart after facing scrutiny from European regulators.

Persons: iRobot, David Zapolsky, Amazon’s, Colin Angle, Glen Weinstein, Haleluya Hadero Organizations: European Union, Amazon, European Commission, Federal Trade Commission, U.S, Adobe, Biotech, ___ AP Locations: European, Europe, Bedford , Massachusetts, U.S, EU, New York

☆ Amazon Scraps Deal to Buy Maker of Roomba Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Adam Satariano | More About Adam Satariano | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Amazon said on Monday that it was abandoning plans to buy iRobot, the maker of the self-driving Roomba vacuum, after regulators raised concerns the deal would hurt competition. antitrust regulators warned Amazon that they might try to block the deal because it could restrict competition in the market for robot vacuum cleaners. The Federal Trade Commission was also scrutinizing the deal. Amazon, which will pay iRobot a $94 million termination fee, said in a statement that “disproportionate regulatory hurdles” caused it to step away from the deal, which was first announced in 2022. IRobot’s products, which also include robotic mops and air purifiers, were to join a growing list of connected home products made by Amazon, including Ring home security systems and Echo smart speakers.

Organizations: Amazon, Foods, MGM Studios, European Union, Federal Trade Commission Locations: E.U

☆ House Democrats propose crackdown on fake, AI-generated robocalls
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The number of robocalls placed in the US peaked at around 58.5 billion in 2019, according to estimates by YouMail, a robocall blocking service. For all robocalls, including those Americans have authorized from their bank or doctor’s office, any use of AI would have to be disclosed under the proposed law. But even as officials have gained some ground on unwanted robocalls, those making the calls are increasingly turning to new technologies such as artificial intelligence to stay a step ahead. It would also seek to force phone providers to offer free robocall-blocking services to consumers and require the FCC to maintain a public list of the top 100 illegal robocall campaigns. Other Democratic co-sponsors of the legislation include Illinois Rep. Jan Schakowsky, California Rep. Doris Matsui, Florida Rep. Darren Soto and Illinois Rep. Eric Sorensen.

Persons: Joe Biden, Frank Pallone, Pallone, ” Pallone, Jan Schakowsky, Doris Matsui, Darren Soto, Eric Sorensen Organizations: Washington CNN, House Democrats, New, New Hampshire voters, YouMail, CNN, House Energy, Commerce, Federal Communications Commission, Regulators, Industry, FCC, Federal Trade Commission, Democratic, Illinois, California Rep Locations: New Hampshire, California, Florida

☆ What is catfishing and what can you do if you are catfished?
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Sen Nguyen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

In the US, romance scams resulting from catfishing have among the highest reported financial losses of internet crimes as a whole. A 2019 study found that young LGBTQ+ men in rural America experiencing catfishing on dating apps felt angry and fearful. She also emphasized the need to recognize today’s loneliness epidemic, which “leads people to perhaps be more susceptible to catfishing scams,” she said. Catfishing is not explicitly a crime, but the actions that often accompany catfishing, such as extortion for money, gifts or sexual images are crimes in many places. In the US, romance scams resulting from catfishing have among the highest reported financial losses of internet crimes as a whole.

Persons: CNN —, Nev Schulman, “ Megan ”, Schulman, Evita, scammers, Catfishing, Snapchat, ”, Ngo Minh Hieu, Chong, Hieu, Wang, “, It’s, Fangzhou Wang, ” Wang, Maryna, WeChat Organizations: CNN, Cybersmile Foundation, Federation University, Fraud Intelligence, INTERPOL, Research, US Federal Trade Commission, SMS, University of Texas, Arlington, Getty, Facebook, UNICEF Locations: Alaska, Australia, Singapore, Southeast Asia, France, Germany, India, cryptocurrency, Vietnamese, America, catfishing, China, Cybersecurity, Australian

☆ The NSA buys Americans’ internet data, newly released documents show
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Washington CNN —The National Security Agency has been buying Americans’ web browsing data from commercial data brokers without warrants, intelligence officials disclosed in documents made public by a US senator Thursday. The purchases involve what Nakasone described as netflow data, or the technical information generated by devices as they use the internet. Nakasone added that the NSA does not purchase cellphone location data of Americans or location data generated by automotive infotainment systems in the United States. “NSA purchases commercially available Netflow data for its cybersecurity mission, to include but not limited to inform the Agency’s collection, analysis, and dissemination of cyber threat intelligence,” an NSA official said. As part of Thursday’s announcement, Wyden wrote a letter to the Biden administration urging it to stop the warrantless surveillance of Americans through the purchases of internet data.

Persons: Oregon Democratic Sen, Ron Wyden, Biden, ”, Paul Nakasone, Wyden, Nakasone, “, Ronald Moultrie, Allison Nixon, ” Nixon, Timothy Haugh, ” Wyden, Avril Haines, Haines, Lina Khan, CNN’s Sean Lyngaas Organizations: Washington CNN, National Security Agency, Oregon Democratic, Pentagon, CNN, The New York Times, NSA, Defense Department, cyberattacks, Defense Intelligence Agency, Federal Trade Commission, InMarket Media, FTC Locations: Oregon, United States, U.S

☆ FTC fines Kubota $2 million in largest ever 'Made in the USA' penalty
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission on Friday announced that it fined Kubota, one of the world's largest tractor manufacturing companies, $2 million for mislabeling some of its replacement parts as "Made in the USA." "Today's settlement includes the largest civil penalty assessed for violating the Made in USA Labeling Rule," said Samuel Levine, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "The FTC will continue cracking down on deceptive Made in USA claims that cheat consumers and honest businesses." Kubota said in a statement that it "cooperated fully with the FTC" and is voluntarily addressing its concerns. "All parts in this matter sold to customers since 2021 were produced by approved Kubota suppliers, and Kubota continues to stand behind these parts as 'Kubota Genuine Parts,'" the company said.

Persons: WASHINGTON, Kubota, Samuel Levine, Ran Reske Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Consumer, FTC, Kubota North America Corporation, U.S, Established, Dallas Morning News Locations: USA, FTC's, Dallas, U.S, Japan, Southern California

☆ N.S.A. Buys Americans’ Internet Data Without Warrants, Letter Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Charlie Savage | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The National Security Agency buys certain logs related to Americans’ domestic internet activities from commercial data brokers, according to an unclassified letter by the agency. The letter, addressed to a Democratic senator and obtained by The New York Times, offered few details about the nature of the data other than to stress that it did not include the content of internet communications. Still, the revelation is the latest disclosure to bring to the fore a legal gray zone: Intelligence and law enforcement agencies sometimes purchase potentially sensitive and revealing domestic data from brokers that would require a court order to acquire directly. It comes as the Federal Trade Commission has started cracking down on companies that trade in personal location data that was gathered from smartphone apps and sold without people’s knowledge and consent about where it would end up and for what purpose it would be used.

Organizations: National Security Agency, Democratic, The New York Times, Intelligence, Federal Trade Commission

Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesMicrosoft’s years-long relationship with OpenAI is the best known of the partnerships. Google and Amazon have more recently made multibillion-dollar deals with Anthropic, another San Francisco-based AI startup formed by former leaders at OpenAI. The European Union and the United Kingdom have already signaled that they might also scrutinize the relationship with Microsoft and OpenAI. Antitrust advocates welcomed the actions from both the FTC and Europe into the deals that some have derided as quasi-mergers. The companies have 45 days to provide information to the FTC that includes their partnership agreements and the strategic rationale behind them.

Persons: OpenAI, ”, Lina Khan, Khan, Microsoft didn't, Matt Stoller, Satya Nadella, Kara Swisher, Sam Altman, Nadella, “, ” Nadella, Altman’s, It’s, They’re, Kelvin Chan Organizations: Google, Microsoft, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Anthropic, OpenAI, European Union, Antitrust, Big Tech, American Economic Liberties, “, Intel, Bloomberg, Economic Locations: San Francisco, United Kingdom, Europe, OpenAI, Davos, Redmond , Washington, Iowa, Switzerland, London

☆ Government warns funeral homes to stop misleading bereaved customers about pricing
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The FTC conducted an undercover phone sweep of more than 250 funeral homes, placing calls to obtain pricing information. For 38 calls, the agency said the funeral homes either refused to answer questions about pricing or gave inconsistent information about identical services. Funeral homes have to follow the FTC’s “Funeral Rule,” which provides bereaved consumers rights during the process and holds the business to strict requirements. One of the caveats is that funeral homes must give customers a general price list, and customers have the right to choose which services they want. Funeral homes that don’t comply could pay up to $51,744 per violation.

Persons: ” Lesley Fair Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, National, FTC’s, Consumer Protection Locations: New York, That’s, Laredo , Texas, Philadelphia

☆ FTC launches AI inquiry into Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, looking at 'investments and partnerships'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Hayden Field | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 4: Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan speaks during a discussion on antitrust reforms at the Brookings Institution October 4, 2023 in Washington, DC. Khan assumed the role of FTC chair in June 2021 after being appointed by U.S. President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)The Federal Trade Commission said Thursday it will conduct an extensive study on the artificial intelligence field's biggest heavyweights, including Amazon , Alphabet , Microsoft , Anthropic and OpenAI. FTC Chair Lina Khan announced the inquiry during the agency's tech summit on AI, describing it as a "market inquiry into the investments and partnerships being formed between AI developers and major cloud service providers." "At the FTC, the rapid development and deployment of AI is informing our work across the agency," Khan said.

Persons: Lina Khan, Khan, Joe Biden, Drew Angerer Organizations: Federal Trade, Brookings, U.S, Senate, Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, FTC, Apple, Facebook, Amazon Locations: WASHINGTON, DC, Washington , DC

☆ Jim Cramer is contemplating selling more of this tech giant after a big rally to record highs
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Paulina Likos | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch audio feature in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. Since there's no specific news on the stock moves and it could be that investors were taking some profits after their big runs. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB.

Persons: Jim Cramer, Stocks, Eli Lilly, Estee Lauder, LVMH, Ford, Tesla, Jim, Dupont, it's, Jim Cramer's Organizations: CNBC, Broadcom, Tesla, Federal Trade Commission, Microsoft, Wynn Resorts, Vegas Sands, Macao, ICE, Costco, Dow Inc, Dow, Jim Cramer's Charitable Locations: China, Palo Alto

NEW YORK (AP) — Microsoft is laying off about 1,900 employees in its gaming division, according to an internal company memo, just over three months since the tech giant completed its $69 million purchase of video game maker Activision Blizzard. Those impacted worked on teams for Activision Blizzard as well as Xbox and ZeniMax — which are also owned by Microsoft. “As we move forward in 2024, the leadership of Microsoft Gaming and Activision Blizzard is committed to aligning on a strategy and an execution plan with a sustainable cost structure that will support the whole of our growing business,” Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer wrote in the memo. The union deal was part of a 2022 agreement with the CWA that helped address U.S. political concerns about the merger’s effects. So far, however, only a small set of Activision Blizzard divisions have formed unions.

Persons: Activision Blizzard, Phil Spencer, Mike Ybarra, ” Ybarra, “, ”, _________________ O'Brien Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, Associated Press, Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Gaming, Twitter, European Union, The U.S . Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Google, Riot, eBay, Communications Workers, CWA Locations: United Kingdom, European, U.S, Canada, Providence , Rhode Island

The best way to avoid identity theft is to be aware of common scams and their tell-tale signs. Online account tax scamsThe Internal Revenue Service has come out with guidance on this particular scam. It involves scammers who try to sell or offer help with setting up an online account with irs.gov , and it can subject your personal and tax information to identity theft. Make sure that any online tax account that you open begins at irs.gov. The most common one involves the supposed employer sending you a fake money order or fake company check to deposit into your bank account.

Persons: —, scammers Organizations: Service, Federal Trade Commission, FINRA Investor Education Foundation, Revenue Service, IRS, Valentine's Locations: irs.gov

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon-owned Ring will stop allowing police departments to request doorbell camera footage from users, marking an end to a feature that has drawn criticism from privacy advocates. In a blog post on Wednesday, Ring said it will sunset the “Request for Assistance” tool, which allows police departments and other public safety agencies to request and receive video captured by the doorbell cameras through Ring’s Neighbors app. Eric Kuhn, the head of Neighbors, said in the announcement that law enforcement agencies will still be able to make public posts in the Neighbors app. In a bid to increase transparency, Ring changed its policy in 2021 to make police requests publicly visible through its Neighbors app. Ring also maintains the right to share footage without user consent in limited circumstances.

Persons: Ring, Eric Kuhn, ” Kuhn, Matthew Guariglia Organizations: . Police, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Federal Trade Commission Locations: Guariglia

☆ A 61-year-old man sues Macy's, saying he was jailed and assaulted after being falsely identified as a store robber by facial recognition
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Tom Carter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewA 61-year-old man is suing Macy's and the parent company of Sunglass Hut over the use of facial recognition tech that mistook him for an armed robber. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. AdvertisementThe use of facial recognition technology in retail stores has come under growing scrutiny in recent years and fuelled fears that it may lead to more cases of mistaken arrests . Macy's and EssilorLuxottica did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

Persons: —, Macy's, Harvey Murphy Jr, , Murphy, EssilorLuxottica Organizations: Service, Business, Washington Post, Federal Trade Commission Locations: Sunglass, Macy's, Sacramento

☆ Scammers can use AI tools to clone the voices of you and your family—how to protect yourself
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A robocall impersonating President Joe Biden urged New Hampshire voters not to participate in Tuesday's presidential primary — and it probably won't be the last AI voice scam this election season. "Of course, this will be used by foreign nation states just like the trolling farms they already have. "These messages appear to be an unlawful attempt to disrupt the New Hampshire Presidential Primary Election and to suppress New Hampshire voters." Thanks to the rapid development of the type of AI technology used to clone and mimic people's voices, these types of AI-powered schemes are becoming more common — and scammers aren't just spoofing well-known public figures. In March, the Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer alert warning people that scammers could target them by using AI technology to clone the voice of a family member in order to convince them to send the scammers money.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden's, Biden, scammers Organizations: New, CNBC, NBC News, New Hampshire voters, Federal Trade Commission Locations: New Hampshire

☆ Appeals court upholds 'pharma bro' Martin Shkreli lifetime ban from drug industry
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

A federal appeals court Tuesday upheld a lifetime ban on "pharma bro" Martin Shkreli from working in the pharmaceuticals industry as well as an order to pay up to $64.6 million in disgorged profits for blocking competition to the drug Daraprim. His lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, in a statement to CNBC on the appeals court decision, said, "The lifetime ban is too severe." In its eight-page ruling, the appeals court noted that Shkreli argued that Manhattan federal court Judge Denise Cote "abused" her discretion in imposing a lifetime ban on him from the drug business. "The district court found, and Shkreli does not dispute, that Shkreli's illegal scheme was "egregious, deliberate, repetitive, long-running, and ultimately dangerous." "Given his strategic decision in the district court, there is no injustice to Shkreli by us declining to address his new argument."

Persons: Martin Shkreli, pharma bro, Shkreli, Benjamin Brafman, Brafman, Denise Cote, —, Peluso Organizations: Turing Pharmaceuticals AG, pharma, U.S, Circuit, New, Federal Trade Commission, CNBC, FTC, Vyera Pharmaceuticals, Phoenixus, Mr Locations: New York, California, Manhattan

☆ TurboTax Can No Longer Advertise Products as Free, F.T.C. Says
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Rebecca Carballo | More About Rebecca Carballo | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Federal regulators have ruled that Intuit, the maker of the tax-filing software TurboTax, must stop marketing its services as free, unless they are free to everyone or exceptions are clearly disclosed. TurboTax had for years claimed customers could file their taxes online for free. The Federal Trade Commission said in an opinion and final order issued on Monday that its advertising was deceptive because two-thirds of taxpayers were not eligible to file with the free product. The commission also found that the company’s attempts to disclose that not everybody qualified for free services were “ineffective and often inconspicuous.”Examples of ineligible taxpayers include those claiming mortgage and property deductions, charitable donations over $300, unemployment income, investment income, rental property income and certain education expenses. Gig workers who reported income as independent contractors, including many delivery drivers, were also ineligible.

Persons: TurboTax Organizations: Intuit, Federal Trade Commission

☆ Federal Trade Commission bans 'deceptive advertising' for free filing from TurboTax maker Intuit
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

As the opening of tax season approaches, the Federal Trade Commission has cracked down on "deceptive advertising" from Intuit , maker of tax filing software TurboTax. The FTC on Monday upheld a September ruling that found Intuit violated federal law by marketing free TurboTax software to filers who were not eligible, and were upgraded to deluxe and premium products, according to the opinion. The Commission's final order bans Intuit from advertising "free" services unless all filers can use the free software or the company "clearly and conspicuously" discloses eligibility. In May 2022, Intuit entered a multistate agreement to pay $141 million to lower-income Americans who wrongly paid for using the "TurboTax Free Edition" of its software. The agreement affected 4.4 million customers and the settlement began in May 2023.

Persons: Ed Mierzwinski Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Intuit, Finance, FTC, U.S . Public Interest Research Locations: America

☆ New York AG pushing for lifetime Trump ban cites Martin Shkreli ruling
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Martin Shkreli, former chief executive officer of Turing Pharmaceuticals AG, exits court in New York, US, on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. What does former President Donald Trump have in common with "Pharma bro" Martin Shkreli? A penchant for harshly trolling their enemies online and an attorney general who wants both of them banned for life from their preferred business. The ruling stemmed from an antitrust lawsuit James, the Federal Trade Commission, and six other states filed against Shkreli. James, in that case, asked Judge Arthur Engoron to ban Trump for life from the New York real estate industry and to bar his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, from that sector for five years, along with fining them $360 million.

Persons: Martin Shkreli, Donald Trump, Pharma bro, Letitia James's, James, Judge Arthur Engoron, Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump, Engoron, Colleen Faherty Organizations: Turing Pharmaceuticals AG, Pharma, New York, Shkreli, Trump, U.S, Circuit, New York federal, Federal Trade Commission, New Locations: New York, Manhattan, Fed

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. regulators have barred TurboTax maker Intuit Inc. from advertising its services as “free” unless they are free for all customers, or if eligibility is clearly disclosed. The order also bars Intuit from “misrepresenting any material facts about its products or services,” including refund policies and price points. There was no financial penalty in the FTC's order, but Intuit has previously faced hefty charges over the marketing of “free” services. In a 2022 settlement signed by the attorneys general of all 50 states, Intuit agreed to suspend TurboTax’s “free, free, free” ad campaign and pay $141 million in restitution to nearly 4.4 million taxpayers nationwide. Those impacted were low-income consumers eligible for free, federally-supported tax services — but paid TurboTax to file their federal returns due to “predatory and deceptive marketing,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said.

Persons: Michael Chappell, TurboTax’s, Letitia James Organizations: —, Intuit Inc, Federal Trade Commission, Intuit, Associated Press, ” New York Locations: — U.S, California

☆ Texas man sues Macy’s and Sunglass Hut parent over wrongful arrest linked to facial recognition
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A Texas man is suing Macy’s and the parent company of Sunglass Hut after the two companies allegedly relied on error-prone facial recognition technology to falsely accuse him of armed robbery. “They were misled by Sunglass Hut and Macy’s and the reason why Murphy was jailed is because of the actions of these companies. In 2020, the American Civil Liberties Union challenged Detroit’s police department over what the group described as the first known wrongful arrest involving facial recognition. Facial recognition concernsFor years, civil liberties and privacy experts have warned of the risks of overly casual facial recognition use or an overreliance on the technology, and the possibility that algorithmic bias could lead to misidentification, racial discrimination or other unintended consequences. The FTC has similarly moved to restrict Instagram-parent Meta from using facial recognition technology, which Meta has challenged in court.

Persons: CNN —, Macy’s, Harvey Murphy Jr, Murphy’s, Murphy, ”, Daniel Dutko, “, EssilorLuxottica didn’t, EssilorLuxottica, Dutko, ” Dutko, Sunglass, “ We’re, they’re, ‘ We’ve, Meta Organizations: CNN, The Washington Post, Houston police, Department of Motor Vehicles, Houston, American Civil Liberties Union, Office, Federal Trade Commission, Aid, FTC Locations: Texas, Sunglass, Harris County, Houston, Sacramento , California, Harris, EssilorLuxottica, Michigan, Detroit

☆ TurboTax can't keep advertising itself as 'free' when many people have to pay, FTC rules
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The FTC targeted Intuit ads that claimed consumers can file taxes for free using TurboTax. The FTC ruled that Intuit can't advertise free services unless all customers qualify or it clearly says who does. Intuit has previously faced hefty charges over the marketing of "free" services. AdvertisementU.S. regulators have barred TurboTax maker Intuit Inc. from advertising its services as "free" unless they are free for all customers, or if eligibility is clearly disclosed. In a 2022 settlement signed by the attorneys general of all 50 states, Intuit agreed to suspend TurboTax's "free, free, free" ad campaign and pay $141 million in restitution to nearly 4.4 million taxpayers nationwide.

Persons: Michael Chappell, Letitia James Organizations: FTC, Intuit, Intuit Inc, Federal Trade Commission, Associated Press, New York Locations: U.S, California

☆ FTC bans TurboTax from advertising ‘free’ services, calls it deceptive advertising
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN —The Federal Trade Commission ruled in a final order and opinion Monday that TurboTax, the popular tax filing software, engaged in deceptive advertising and banned the company from advertising its services for free unless it is free for all customers. By running ads for “free” tax services that many customers were not qualified for, the tax filing software violated the FTC Act and deceived consumers, the agency said. The FTC had first sued Intuit, TurboTax’s owner, for its deceptive advertising in 2022. Intuit cannot advertise or market any goods or services as free unless it’s free for all customers, the FTC ordered. The FTC added if the service isn’t actually free for the majority of consumers, TurboTax could state that as well.

Persons: D, Michael Chappell, “, ”, —, Letitia James, ” CNN’s Jordan Valinsky Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Intuit Locations: New York

☆ Feds crack down hard on selling of personal data without consent
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The US government is coming down hard on a data broker accused of selling consumers’ detailed location histories without their consent, highlighting privacy regulators’ growing focus on a sensitive and revealing form of personal information. But InMarket never got those people’s informed consent before using that data for advertising, according to the FTC. In addition to banning InMarket from selling or licensing the data, it also forced the company to either delete all of its previously collected location data or to take steps to anonymize it. Policy experts have highlighted the potential for location data to reveal whether a person has sought certain medical care. “All too often, Americans are tracked by serial data hoarders that endlessly vacuum up and use personal information,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement on the InMarket settlement.

Persons: InMarket, ”, ” InMarket, “, Roe, Wade, Thursday’s, —, Lina Khan, “ We’ll Organizations: CNN, Federal Trade Commission, InMarket Media, FTC, Google Locations: Texas

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