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Consumer Protection

  • July 31, 2025

    Meta Faces EU Probe Into WhatsApp AI Tying Allegations

    Italian antitrust enforcers are opening an investigation into Meta, saying that the company may have run afoul of anti-bundling laws by tying its dominant WhatsApp messaging service with its new Meta AI assistant.

  • July 31, 2025

    Mercedes-Benz Can't Escape All Of Wood Veneer Crack Suit

    A Georgia federal judge won't dismiss the bulk of a proposed class action alleging that Mercedes-Benz Group AG sold vehicles with defective wooden trim veneer that cracked after extended use, leaving 11 of the 18 counts in the amended complaint alive.

  • July 31, 2025

    Fintech, BofA, JPMorgan Face Class Suit Over Cyberattack

    Financial software company Finastra Technology Inc., Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase Bank NA face a proposed class action alleging they failed to properly safeguard customers' personal information that was exposed by a data breach.

  • July 30, 2025

    Sens. Step Up Push For Data Privacy Law Amid AI's Rise

    The leaders of a Senate data privacy subcommittee Wednesday put the spotlight back on longstanding efforts to craft a nationwide framework for how companies use and disclose consumers' personal information, arguing that a growing state law patchwork and the rise of artificial intelligence accelerated the need for such protections.

  • July 30, 2025

    Flo Likely To Get Health Privacy Claim Tossed In Meta Case

    The California federal judge overseeing a trial on allegations that Flo Health and Meta Platforms Inc. violated the privacy of millions of women who used Flo's period tracker app said Wednesday he'd likely toss the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act claim, saying the lack of evidence is an "unsurmountable" problem.

  • July 30, 2025

    White House Crypto Report Sets Blueprint For Coming Rules

    A long-awaited report from the President's Working Group on Digital Asset Markets that was released Wednesday encouraged securities and derivatives regulators to use their existing authorities to clear the way for crypto issuance and trading in the absence of lasting legislation, while also urging banking regulators to sharpen standards for crypto engagement.

  • July 30, 2025

    E-Commerce Firms To Pay $15M To End FTC's AI Scam Claims

    A New Jersey-based network of e-commerce coaching firms will pay more than $15 million to end a Federal Trade Commission suit accusing it of duping consumers out of nearly $16 million through false promises of AI-driven success on e-commerce platforms, according to a federal court order filed Wednesday.

  • July 30, 2025

    Iowa Slams Schwab's 'Amorphous' Antitrust Compliance Deal

    The state of Iowa is among a slew of objectors to a settlement calling for Charles Schwab Corp. to implement an antitrust compliance program to resolve an investor class action stemming from its merger with TD Ameritrade, arguing the deal is unfair and completely fails to remedy the investors' harm.

  • July 30, 2025

    Connecticut Says 2 Men Sold $2.5M In Fake Cannabis Licenses

    Two Connecticut businessmen ran a counterfeit cannabis licensing operation, selling fake credentials to as many as 70 retailers in the state for as much as $30,000 a certificate, according to a lawsuit filed by state officials who seek a $2.5 million judgment against the accused.

  • July 30, 2025

    State Farm Ordered To Pay $54.6M Over Vehicle Valuations

    State Farm must pay more than $54.6 million across two class actions for underpaying the value of totaled vehicles via a "typical negotiation" deduction, a Washington federal court ruled, noting the plaintiffs provided "undisputed" evidence that State Farm violated the state's Consumer Protection Act.

  • July 30, 2025

    Cash App Parent's $12.5M Spam Text Settlement Gets 1st OK

    A Washington federal judge has granted preliminary approval to Cash App parent Block Inc.'s $12.5 million class action settlement with customers who alleged they were bombarded with "annoying and harassing spam texts" from the company. 

  • July 30, 2025

    TMX Customers Seek Final OK Of $42M Data Breach Suit Deal

    Customers of the title loan and payday lender TMX Finance have asked a Georgia federal judge to grant final approval of their $42 million settlement of claims arising from a data breach that affected an estimated 4.8 million people.

  • July 30, 2025

    Comscore Says Box Office Data TRO In Antitrust Suit Is Bunk

    Media analytics giant Comscore has accused the film distribution and data company that's suing it for box office data monopolization of "gamesmanship," telling a California federal judge it had every right to cancel its contract with Atlas Distribution Co.

  • July 30, 2025

    CVS Can't Arbitrate RICO Suit Over Alleged 'No Generic' Policy

    CVS effectively forfeited its arbitration rights in proposed class action litigation accusing it of conspiring to block Medicare beneficiaries from accessing generic versions of prescription drugs, a Pennsylvania federal judge ruled in denying the company's bid to enforce an arbitration agreement.

  • July 30, 2025

    Celsius Cans Accidentally Filled With Vodka Drink, Recall Says

    Alcoholic beverage company High Noon said Tuesday it accidentally got shipped some Celsius energy drink cans, filled them with vodka seltzer and shipped them to retailers in several states, in a recall notice that was also published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

  • July 30, 2025

    Microsoft Browser Rival Asks Brazil To Investigate Tech Titan

    Microsoft has been flexing its power as owner of the world's most dominant computer operating system to make people use its own web browser over those belonging to competitors, one such rival told Brazilian competition authorities.

  • July 30, 2025

    AMC's Status As Movie Theater Sinks Video Data Privacy Suit

    A Kansas federal judge has tossed a proposed class action accusing AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. of unlawfully sharing website visitors' data with Facebook, agreeing with the Ninth Circuit and several district courts that have found that movie theaters aren't covered by the Video Privacy Protection Act. 

  • July 30, 2025

    Cinemark Calls Suit Alleging Exaggerated Beer Size Meritless

    Cinemark USA Inc. asked a Texas federal court to toss a proposed class action alleging that the movie theater company ripped off thirsty moviegoers by advertising 24-ounce beer cups that in reality only contained 22 ounces, saying the plaintiff failed to allege damages over $5 million.

  • July 30, 2025

    'Scattershot' Privacy Suit Over Gap Email Tracking Gets Nixed

    A California federal judge has tossed a proposed class action alleging that Gap Inc. invaded consumers' privacy by using third-party tracking technology in its marketing emails, criticizing the plaintiff's "continuously shapeshifting" theories of liability and saying he "expects more from counsel than the scattershot and vague assertions presented here."

  • July 30, 2025

    FDA's Vaccine Chief Is Out After Loyalty To Trump Questioned

    Dr. Vinay Prasad's tenure as the top vaccine regulator at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ended abruptly this week following intense criticism from conservative activists who questioned his loyalty to President Donald Trump.

  • July 30, 2025

    Mich. PBM Opioid Suit Belongs In State Court, Judge Told

    Counsel for the State of Michigan argued Wednesday that a lawsuit accusing pharmacy benefit managers Express Scripts and OptumRx of fueling the opioid crisis is not subject to federal officer removal and should be sent back to state court.

  • July 30, 2025

    11th Circ. Considers If TCPA's Fax Provisions Are 'Procedural'

    A doctor who sued two medical providers for allegedly sending more than 14,000 unsolicited fax advertisements in 2022 urged the Eleventh Circuit to overturn a district court's denial of class certification, arguing the lower court wrongly found users of online fax services lack standing to sue under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. 

  • July 30, 2025

    GTCR Denied Rival's Old Sales Prospects Data In FTC Case

    An Illinois federal judge refused Tuesday to force a rival medical device coatings company to cough up old sales projections data so private equity firm GTCR BC Holdings can defend against a Federal Trade Commission challenge to its $627 million purchase of Surmodics.

  • July 30, 2025

    Amazon Denied 'Mini-Trial' Against Shoppers' Proposed Class

    A Washington state federal judge summarily refused Wednesday to let Amazon interrogate the expert witness backing a bid for class action status covering tens of millions of consumers, finding that the proposal for evidentiary hearing, with cross-examination, is unneeded.

  • July 30, 2025

    Texas Senate Again Approves Ban On Hemp-Derived THC

    Texas state senators on Wednesday once again gave approval to a legislative proposal to ban products with THC derived from hemp. 

Expert Analysis

  • Compliance Refresher For 'Made In USA' Labeling Claims

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    As tariffs reshape the trade landscape, companies hoping to invoke the powerful consumer appeal of “Made in USA” labels must understand the strict rules for making acceptable claims so they avoid the costly legal ramifications and brand damage possible from misrepresenting products as 100% American, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.

  • 4 Strategies For De-Escalating Hospitality Industry Disputes

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    As recent uncertainty in the travel business exacerbates the risk of conflict in the hospitality sector, industry in-house counsel and their outside partners should consider proactive strategies aimed at de-escalating disputes, including preserving the record, avoiding boilerplate clauses and considering arbitration, say Randa Adra at Crowell and Stephanie Jean-Jacques at Hyatt.

  • Series

    Law School's Missed Lessons: Appreciating Civil Procedure

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    If you’re like me, law school’s often complex and theoretical approach to teaching civil procedure may have contributed to an early struggle with the topic, but when seen from a practical perspective, new lawyers may find they enjoy mastering these rules, says Chloe Villagomez at Foster Garvey.

  • Appellate Guidance Needed On California Chatbot Litigation

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    There is wide variation in how courts are applying the California Invasion of Privacy Act against website owners that allegedly help third parties spy on visitors via chatbots — and the lack of appellate rulings creates uncertainty, especially as these cases move toward the summary judgment stage, say attorneys at Crowell & Moring.

  • Calif. Bar Exam Fiasco Shows Why Attys Must Disclose AI Use

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    The recent revelation that a handful of questions from the controversial California bar exam administered in February were drafted using generative artificial intelligence demonstrates the continued importance of disclosure for attorneys who use AI tools, say attorneys at Troutman.

  • Platforms Face Section 230 Shift From Take It Down Act

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    The federal Take It Down Act, signed into law last month, aims to combat deepfake pornography with criminal penalties for individual wrongdoers, but the notice and takedown provisions change the broad protections provided by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act in ways that directly affect platform providers, say attorneys at Troutman.

  • Ƶ's Guidance Withdrawal Deepens Industry Uncertainty

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    Following the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's recent withdrawal of dozens of guidance documents in a post-Chevron world, financial services providers are left to make their own determinations about the complex issues addressed in the now-revoked materials, presenting a significant compliance burden, say attorneys at Bradley Arant.

  • In 2nd Place, Va. 'Rocket Docket' Remains Old Reliable

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    The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia was again one of the fastest civil trial courts in the nation last year, and an interview with the court’s newest judge provides insights into why it continues to soar, says Robert Tata at Hunton.

  • How Attorneys Can Become Change Agents For Racial Equity

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    As the administration targets diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and law firms consider pulling back from their programs, lawyers who care about racial equity and justice can employ four strategies to create microspaces of justice, which can then be parlayed into drivers of transformational change, says Susan Sturm at Columbia Law School.

  • Digital Equity Act Grant Terminations Raise Key Legal Issues

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    The Trump administration's move to cancel grant programs created under the Digital Equity Act yields key legal and policy questions facing the executive branch, Congress and the courts, including how the administration plans to implement the cancellation of the Digital Equity Act's appropriations in the first place, say attorneys at Akin.

  • GAO Report Reveals How Banks And Regulators Are Using AI

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    A U.S. Government Accountability Office report published last month makes clear that while both federal regulators and regulated entities like banks and credit unions are employing artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, they're maintaining some skepticism, say attorneys at Orrick.

  • Robinson-Patman Enforcement May Fizzle Out After PepsiCo

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    After securing an early Robinson-Patman Act victory against the largest wine and spirits distributor in the U.S., the Federal Trade commission's voluntary dismissal of its own enforcement action against PepsiCo throws into doubt the future of the federal statute that prohibits price discrimination and other anticompetitive practices, say attorneys at V&E.

  • Series

    Running Marathons Makes Me A Better Lawyer

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    After almost five years of running marathons, I’ve learned that both the race itself and the training process sharpen skills that directly translate to the practice of law, including discipline, dedication, endurance, problem-solving and mental toughness, says Lauren Meadows at Swift Currie.

  • 3 Takeaways From Recent Cyberattacks On Healthcare Cos.

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    For the healthcare industry, the upward trend in styles of cyberattacks, costs, and entities targeted highlights the critical importance of proactive planning to help withstand the operational, legal and reputational turmoil that can follow a data breach, say attorneys at Troutman Pepper.

  • Tips To Avoid Consumer Tracking Tech Class Actions

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    Recent class actions alleging Trade Desk illegally tracked millions of consumers through its advertising platform highlight growing data privacy compliance concerns over digital tracking practices, but there are disclosure best practices businesses can take to reduce litigation risk, says David Wheeler at Neal Gerber.

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