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	<title>FTC Online Advertising &#8211; FTC Guardian</title>
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	<title>FTC Online Advertising &#8211; FTC Guardian</title>
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		<title>Groundbreaking Settlements &#8211; Fake Social Media Engagement Illegal</title>
		<link>https://www.ftcguardian.com/articles/groundbreaking-settlements-fake-social-media-engagement-illegal/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Allyn Cutts]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 02 Jun 2019 13:08:16 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Deceptive Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Claims]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Online Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Truth In Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ad Claims]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Trade Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Complicance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Media Compliance]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.ftcguardian.com/articles/?p=7261</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[In Groundbreaking Settlements, Attorneys General Find Fake Social Media Engagement Illegal By Tiffany Quach and Alexa Meera Singh The Office of the New York Attorney General (“NY AG”) and the Office of the Florida Attorney General (“Florida AG”) announced settlements with Devumi LLC and its offshoot &#8230;  ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<section class="post-content">
<h1 class="post-title">In Groundbreaking Settlements, Attorneys General Find Fake Social Media Engagement Illegal</h1>
<p class="byline_wrap"><span class="post-byline">By <a href="https://privacylaw.proskauer.com/2019/04/articles/social-media/in-groundbreaking-settlements-attorneys-general-find-fake-social-media-engagement-illegal/">Tiffany Quach and Alexa Meera Singh</a></span></p>
<p>The Office of the New York Attorney General (“NY AG”) and the Office of the Florida Attorney General (“Florida AG”) announced settlements with Devumi LLC and its offshoot companies (“Devumi”), which sold fake social media engagement, such as followers, likes and views, on various social media platforms. According to the NY AG, such social media engagement is fake in that “it purports to reflect the activity and authentic favor of actual people on the platform, when in fact the activity was not generated by actual people and/or does not reflect genuine interest.”</p>
<p><a class="popup_DATA_BROKER" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#popup_DATA_BROKER_modal" href="#"><img decoding="async" src="/images/button_banner-Data_Broker.png" alt="" /></a></p>
<p>These settlements are the first in the United States to find that selling fake social media engagement constitutes illegal deception and that using stolen social media identities to engage in online activity is illegal. The NY AG emphasized that the New York settlement sends a “clear message that anyone profiting off of deception and impersonation is breaking the law and will be held accountable.”</p>
<p>Devumi grossed $15 million dollars from 2015 to 2017 by selling fake social media engagement through bots and “sock puppet” accounts. A sock puppet account is the account of one person who is pretending to be many others. In other words, it is multiple accounts controlled by the same user. Some of the fake accounts used real social media profiles without the profile owner’s consent or knowledge.</p>
<p>The company also sold endorsements from social media “influencers” without disclosing that the endorsements were paid for. An influencer is a social media user with a substantial following, who monetizes their online popularity by endorsing goods, services and events to their followers.</p>
<p><a href="https://privacylaw.proskauer.com/2019/04/articles/social-media/in-groundbreaking-settlements-attorneys-general-find-fake-social-media-engagement-illegal/">Read the full article here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy"><img decoding="async" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ftcguardian/images/728x90-Un-vjy-FTC-GUARDIAN-banner-2.gif" /></a></p>
</section>
<h2>Here’s How To Make Sure You, Your Business and Website Are FTC & GDPR Compliant</h2>
<p>By now it should be clear how important it is for you to be FTC compliant. But how can you do that without spending $7,500-$8,000 or more on Internet Attorneys?</p>
<p>Smart business owners around the world are doing it with the help of FTC Guardian.</p>
<p>FTC Guardian is a service that is 100% focused on helping to keep you get and stay FTC & GDPR compliant and fully protected. <a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">And right now, we are offering free training to give you the knowledge, information, and guidance that you need to stay out of trouble with the Federal Trade Commission and the new GDPR guidelines.</a></p>
<p>Free Compliance Workshop: <a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Join Chip Cooper, Esq., the #1 FTC Compliance & GDPR trainer in the World, for a one-of-kind, completely free online compliance workshop.</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Workshops fill up quickly, so register now.</strong></a></p>
<p>Here are some of the things you’ll discover in the training:</p>
<ul>
<li>Real-Life Examples of People Who Didn’t Think They Were At Risk, But Who Got Nailed By The FTC, And Why It Could Happen To You, Too</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The 3 Enormous Powers The FTC Has That Can Change Your Life – And Your Family’s Life – Forever!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>How to Avoid FTC Claims When Collecting Leads With Optin Forms</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>3 Privacy Policy Mistakes Every Digital Marketer Is Making, And Why You’re In The FTC Crosshairs.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And Much More…</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Remember: legal protection is a massively important part of your business, and it’s one you cannot afford to ignore any longer.</b></p>
<p><a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Go here to register for our next FREE training and make your business is FTC compliant today!</a></p>
<p><b>Disclaimer:  This article is provided for informational purposes only. It’s not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Neither the author nor FTC Guardian, Inc. is endorsed by the Federal Trade Commission.</b></p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<item>
		<title>‘FORTNITE’ PLAYERS CLAIM THEY WERE SCAMMED WITH LAME ‘LOOT’</title>
		<link>https://www.ftcguardian.com/articles/fortnite-players-claim-they-were-scammed-with-lame-loot/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Allyn Cutts]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Mar 2019 16:05:39 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[FTC Compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Online Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Trade Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC. Federal Trade Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Truth In Advertising]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.ftcguardian.com/articles/?p=7170</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[‘FORTNITE’ PLAYERS CLAIM THEY WERE SCAMMED WITH LAME ‘LOOT’ By Mike LaSusa Epic Games Inc., the maker of the popular video game “Fortnite,” conned players into buying so-called loot boxes that rarely contained the valuable in-game accouterments promised by the &#8230;  ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1 class="single-entry-title">‘FORTNITE’ PLAYERS CLAIM THEY WERE SCAMMED WITH LAME ‘LOOT’</h1>
<p>By <a href="https://www.law360.com/media/articles/1134144/-fortnite-players-claim-they-were-scammed-with-lame-loot-">Mike LaSusa</a></p>
<p>Epic Games Inc., the maker of the popular video game “Fortnite,” conned players into buying so-called loot boxes that rarely contained the valuable in-game accouterments promised by the company's advertising, according to a proposed class action filed in California federal court.</p>
<p><a class="popup_BIG_DATA" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#popup_BIG_DATA_modal" href="#"><img decoding="async" src="/images/button_banner-Big_Data_Report.png" alt="" /></a></p>
<p>The suit filed claims Fortnite's “Save the World” game mode allows players to purchase loot boxes known as “Llamas,” which were marketed “as highly likely to contain valuable loot that will increase a player's power and prowess” but actually contained mostly basic items.</p>
<p>The complaint cites research indicating children may be less able to think critically about how in-game purchases are advertised, and alleges Epic exploits that naivete to reap huge profits.</p>
<p>Read the <a href="https://www.law360.com/media/articles/1134144/-fortnite-players-claim-they-were-scammed-with-lame-loot-">full article here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy"><img decoding="async" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ftcguardian/images/728x90-Un-vjy-FTC-GUARDIAN-banner-2.gif" /></a></p>
<h2>Here’s How To Make Sure You, Your Business and Website Are FTC & GDPR Compliant</h2>
<p>By now it should be clear how important it is for you to be FTC compliant. But how can you do that without spending $7,500-$8,000 or more on Internet Attorneys?</p>
<p>Smart business owners around the world are doing it with the help of FTC Guardian.</p>
<p>FTC Guardian is a service that is 100% focused on helping to keep you get and stay FTC & GDPR compliant and fully protected. <a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">And right now, we are offering a free training to give you the knowledge, information, and guidance that you need to stay out of trouble with the Federal Trade Commission and the new GDPR guidelines.</a></p>
<p>Free Compliance Workshop: <a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Join Chip Cooper, Esq., the #1 FTC Compliance & GDPR trainer in the World, for a one-of-kind, completely free online compliance workshop.</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Workshops fill up quickly, so register now.</strong></a></p>
<p>Here are some of the things you’ll discover on the training:</p>
<ul>
<li>Real-Life Examples of People Who Didn’t Think They Were At Risk, But Who Got Nailed By The FTC, And Why It Could Happen To You, Too</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The 3 Enormous Powers The FTC Has That Can Change Your Life – And Your Family’s Life – Forever!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>How to Avoid FTC Claims When Collecting Leads With Optin Forms</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>3 Privacy Policy Mistakes Every Digital Marketer Is Making, And Why You’re In The FTC Crosshairs.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And Much More…</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Remember: legal protection is a massively important part of your business, and it’s one you cannot afford to ignore any longer.</b></p>
<p><a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Go here to register for our next FREE training and make your business is FTC compliant today!</a></p>
<p><b>Disclaimer:  This article is provided for informational purposes only. It’s not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Neither the author nor FTC Guardian, Inc. is endorsed by the Federal Trade Commission.</b></p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Why Your Quebec Small Business Must Comply with New FTC and GDPR Data Protection Regulations… Before It’s Too Late!</title>
		<link>https://www.ftcguardian.com/articles/ftc-gdpr-compliance/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Allyn Cutts]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2018 00:12:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[FTC Compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Disclosure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GDPR]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Data Privacy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Trade Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Claims]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Online Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC. Federal Trade Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Complicance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Privacy Policy]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.ftcguardian.com/articles/?p=6585</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Business Brief By Chip Cooper, Esq &#124; Let's say, you’re the owner of a small online business in , , and you’re vaguely familiar with FTC regulations affecting ad claims, testimonials, and substantiation. But, are you up to date with &#8230;  ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Quebec Business Brief</strong><br />
By Chip Cooper, Esq | March 17, 2025 11:32 PM
<p>Let's say, you’re the owner of a small online business in Montreal, Quebec, and you’re vaguely familiar with FTC regulations affecting ad claims, testimonials, and substantiation. But, are you up to date with the latest regulations that went into effect just <strong>last few month</strong>, that <u>every Quebec small business that has a website must comply with?</u></p>
<p>Probably not, unless you visited an internet compliance attorney recently.</p>
<p>And, do you understand that the FTC is now focusing on data protection, even for small online businesses? Also, do you really understand how the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) may regulate your online business, and subject you to massive fines?</p>
<p><strong>Why You and Other Quebec Businesses Can’t Fly Under the Radar Any More</strong></p>
<p>Just a few years ago, the FTC focused primarily on big businesses. Many small online businesses believed they could “fly under the radar”, so to speak. They believed they could operate without the level of scrutiny reserved for the big players.</p>
<p><a class="popup_DATA_BROKER" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#popup_DATA_BROKER_modal" href="#"><img decoding="async" src="/images/button_banner-Data_Broker.png" alt="" /></a></p>
<p>In 2014, this changed.</p>
<p>In 2014, the FTC brought several enforcement actions that illustrate the shift to enforcement actions against small businesses. One target was Apply Knowledge, a small online business which the FTC alleged was involved in deceptive testimonials. The enforcement action also named Apply Knowledge’s officers as defendants.</p>
<p><strong>The result:</strong> a $500,000 settlement. <u>Both the business and its officers were jointly and severally liable</u>. It was a big hit against the officers’ personal assets.</p>
<p>In 2017 with its Operation Tech Trap, the FTC demonstrated the power of one of its most effective, new enforcement tools. Begun in 1997, the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel database was reaching critical mass due to the massive number of consumer complaints in <u>Quebec</u>, many of which involved complaints against small online businesses.</p>
<p>Using Consumer Sentinel, the FTC coordinated over 40 law enforcement agencies at the federal and state levels, including the U.S. Department of Justice, with enforcement actions against small tech support companies that were allegedly involved in deceptive marketing practices.</p>
<p><strong>The FTC Has Continued the Trend Regarding Small Online Businesses with Data Protection Regulation</strong></p>
<p>Over the last few years, the FTC has brought over 500 enforcement actions involving privacy claims and over 50 enforcement actions involving data security claims. Although, most of these claims were against relatively big companies in Quebec.</p>
<p>It didn’t take long for the FTC to shift its focus to small business, including several businesses regarding data protection.</p>
<p>In 2017, the FTC hosted small business owners in a series of public roundtable discussions across the United States for purposes of discussing the most pressing challenges small businesses face in protecting the security of their computers and networks.</p>
<p>“The FTC has been a leader in guiding businesses of all sizes on how to protect the data in their care,” Acting Chairman Ohlhausen said. “Companies with only a few employees face unique challenges when it comes to cybersecurity. We’ll use what we learn in the roundtables to tailor our practical resource materials for small businesses.”</p>
<p>Not only did the FTC learn how to tailor resources for small business owners, it also clearly communicated via the FTC website precisely what the FTC requires small business to do. According to the FTC website:</p>
<p>“Many companies keep sensitive personal information about customers or employees in their files or on their network. Having a <u>sound security plan</u> in place to collect, only what you need, keep it safe, and dispose of it securely, can help you meet your <u>legal obligations</u> to protect that sensitive data”. (emphasis supplied).</p>
<p>Have you kept up to date with the latest fines the FTC has issued Facebook? <b>Facebook</b> was hit with $5-billion federal <b>fine</b> for privacy violations&#8230;</p>
<p>This is going to have a huge trickle down effect for ALL small businesses.</p>
<p>So, the FTC has now spoken directly to small business owners that data protection regulations apply to them as well as to the big players. And a fundamental element in a sound security plan is a Data Security Policy for your business.</p>
<p><strong>The Europeans Enter the Fray Regarding Data Protection with GDPR, and Now California Has Just Passed a Similar Regulation</strong></p>
<p>Effective on May 25, 2018, GDPR ushered in new legislation designed to give European Union (EU) residents (data subjects) significantly more control over their personal data. GDPR regulations bring tough, new requirements affecting personal data, consent, privacy, and security.</p>
<p>The catch is that GDPR affects U.S.-based companies of all sizes, even if the U.S. companies don’t have a presence in the EU.  All that’s required for GDPR to regulate your business, is that your business processes personal data of EU data subjects.</p>
<p>Depending on circumstances, you could be regulated by GDPR as a data “controller” if you collect personal data directly from EU data subjects. GDPR may also apply to you as a data “processor” if you receive and process personal data indirectly from a controller, such as for example from your customers.</p>
<p>And you could also be regulated as both as a controller and a processor depending on how you collect and process personal data of EU data subjects.</p>
<p><a href="http://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy"><img decoding="async" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ftcguardian/images/728x90-Un-vjy-FTC-GUARDIAN-banner-2.gif" /></a></p>
<p>The big concern regarding GDPR regulation for businesses in Quebec, of all sizes, are the consequences for non-compliance. Controllers and processors that are not GDPR compliant could be liable for administrative fines up to (i) 20 million Euros (approximately $25 million), or (ii) 4 percent of annual gross revenues, whichever is <em>higher. </em></p>
<p>Processors are subject to liability to controllers for failure to comply with their contractual obligations to their controllers under the relevant controller-processor agreement, including liability to the controller for the actions or inactions of any sub-processor appointed by the processor.</p>
<p>In addition, individual EU data subjects will be able to take action and claim damages where they have suffered “material or immaterial damage&#8221; (i) by controller non-compliance, or (ii) by a processor’s failure to perform its obligations under a controller-processor agreement. In addition, data subjects may file legal claims for damages directly against processors that have breached any lawful instructions by the controller.</p>
<p>And there’s another little-known consequence of non-compliance at this time: the negative public relations effect on your business. Many small businesses are reporting that their customers and prospects are asking if they’re GDPR compliant.</p>
<p>Due to the overwhelming amount of press coverage regarding GDPR and the massive amount of emails from businesses reporting GDPR-compliant privacy policies, your customers know that GDPR compliance is a sign that you’re taking data protection seriously, even if you’re not regulated by GDPR. Failure to embrace GDPR could lead to a critical decrease in trust and confidence in your business.</p>
<p><strong>Bottomline&#8230;</strong></p>
<p>Small businesses are at significant risk – both for enforcement actions with significant fines and with the negative public relations image associated with non-compliance &#8211; if they don’t understand and take action in response to the critical shift by the FTC and the EU regulators regarding enforcement of data protection regulations.</p>
<p>For small businesses that don’t have the budget for law firms to assist with data protection compliance, the best solution is access to a combination of relevant compliance training and the required compliance documents.</p>
<p>&#8212;</p>
<p>Chip Cooper, Esq. is a practicing e-commerce and compliance attorney with the Atlanta law firm of Jones & Haley, P.C. Mr. Cooper is also CEO of FTC Guardian, Inc. (<a href="http://www.ftcguardian.com">www.ftcguardian.com</a>), #1 in online training for FTC and GDPR compliance.</p>
<h2>Here’s How To Make Sure You, Your Quebec Business and Website Are FTC & GDPR Compliant</h2>
<p>By now it should be clear how important it is for you to be FTC compliant. But how can you do that without spending $7,500-$8,000 or more on Internet Attorneys?</p>
<p>Smart business owners around the world are doing it with the help of FTC Guardian.</p>
<p>FTC Guardian is a service that is 100% focused on helping to keep you get and stay FTC & GDPR compliant and fully protected. <a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">And right now, we are offering a free training to give you the knowledge, information, and guidance that you need to stay out of trouble with the Federal Trade Commission and the new GDPR guidelines.</a></p>
<p>Free Compliance Workshop: <a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Join Chip Cooper, Esq., the #1 FTC Compliance & GDPR trainer in the World, for a one-of-kind, completely free online compliance workshop.</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Workshops fill up quickly, so register now.</strong></a></p>
<p>Here are some of the things you’ll discover on the training:</p>
<ul>
<li>Real-Life Examples of People Who Didn’t Think They Were At Risk, But Who Got Nailed By The FTC, And Why It Could Happen To You, Too</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The 3 Enormous Powers The FTC Has That Can Change Your Life – And Your Family’s Life – Forever!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>How to Avoid FTC Claims When Collecting Leads With Optin Forms</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>3 Privacy Policy Mistakes Every Digital Marketer Is Making, And Why You’re In The FTC Crosshairs.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And Much More…</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Remember: legal protection is a massively important part of your business, and it’s one you cannot afford to ignore any longer.</b></p>
<p><a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Go here to register for our next FREE training and make your business is FTC compliant today!</a></p>
<p><b>Disclaimer:  This article is provided for informational purposes only. It’s not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Neither the author nor FTC Guardian, Inc. is endorsed by the Federal Trade Commission.</b></p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
			</item>
		<item>
		<title>Google looks to tackle intrusive in-app advertising with new guidelines</title>
		<link>https://www.ftcguardian.com/articles/google-looks-to-tackle-intrusive-in-app-advertising-with-new-guidelines/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Allyn Cutts]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sat, 16 Dec 2017 16:31:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[FTC Compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Online Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Online Security]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Internet Marketing]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.ftcguardian.com/articles/?p=5805</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Google looks to tackle intrusive in-app advertising with new guidelines By Abhijit Ahaskar Google is trying to restore peace of mind for users by blocking disruptive and deceptive ads. Google allows app developers to monetise their apps in various ways &#8230;  ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1>Google looks to tackle intrusive in-app advertising with new guidelines</h1>
<div class="clearfix border-box">
<p class="author-box">By <a href="http://www.livemint.com/Technology/H80pCJ3BWRMA4X1qqp7dCP/Google-looks-to-tackle-intrusive-inapp-advertising-with-new.html">Abhijit Ahaskar</a></p>
</div>
<p>Google is trying to restore peace of mind for users by blocking disruptive and deceptive ads.</p>
<p>Google allows app developers to monetise their apps in various ways such as in-app purchases, one-time payment, subscriptions or through mobile advertisements. Most free app developers rely on mobile advertisements as it allows them to keep the apps free for users.</p>
<p><a class="popup_DATA_BROKER" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#popup_DATA_BROKER_modal" href="#"><img decoding="async" src="/images/button_banner-Data_Broker.png" alt="" /></a></p>
<p>However, mobile advertisements can be very annoying as they often show at the most inopportune time, waste mobile data and disrupt users from doing whatever they were in the middle of.</p>
<p>Google has updated its monetization and ads policy for the Play Store to rein in apps which are intrusive, show advertising outside of the app and make false claims to deceive users.</p>
<p>Google’s new Lockscreen Monetization policy prohibits app developers from showing advertisements or other such features on the smartphone’s lockscreen, unless it is a launcher or lockscreen app. It says, “Ads must only be displayed within the app serving them.”</p>
<p>Read full article and learn more about <a href="http://www.livemint.com/Technology/H80pCJ3BWRMA4X1qqp7dCP/Google-looks-to-tackle-intrusive-inapp-advertising-with-new.html">trends in technology here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy"><img decoding="async" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ftcguardian/images/728x90-Un-vjy-FTC-GUARDIAN-banner-2.gif" /></a></p>
<h2>Here’s How To Make Sure You, Your Business & Website Is FTC Compliant</h2>
<p>By now it should be clear how important it is for you to be FTC compliant. But how can you do that without spending $7,500-$8,000 or more on Internet Attorneys?</p>
<p>Smart business owners around the world are doing it with the help of FTC Guardian.</p>
<p>FTC Guardian is a service that is 100% focused on helping to keep you get and stay FTC compliant and fully protected. <a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">And right now, we are offering a free training to give you the knowledge, information, and guidance that you need to stay out of trouble with the Federal Trade Commission.</a></p>
<p>Free Compliance Workshop: <a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank"><strong>Join Chip Cooper, Esq., the #1 FTC Compliance trainer in the World, for a one-of-kind, completely free online compliance workshop. Workshops fill up quickly, so register now.</strong></a></p>
<p>Here are some of the things you’ll discover on the training:</p>
<ul>
<li>Real-Life Examples of People Who Didn’t Think They Were At Risk, But Who Got Nailed By The FTC, And Why It Could Happen To You, Too</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The 3 Enormous Powers The FTC Has That Can Change Your Life – And Your Family’s Life – Forever!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>How to Avoid FTC Claims When Collecting Leads With Optin Forms</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>3 Privacy Policy Mistakes Every Digital Marketer Is Making, And Why You’re In The FTC Crosshairs.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And Much More…</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Remember: legal protection is a massively important part of your business, and it’s one you cannot afford to ignore any longer.</b></p>
<p><a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Go here to register for our next FREE training and make your business is FTC compliant today!</a></p>
<p><b>Disclaimer:  This article is provided for informational purposes only. It’s not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Neither the author nor FTC Guardian, Inc. is endorsed by the Federal Trade Commission.</b></p>
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		<title>FTC Obtains $40 Million in Sanctions in Weight Loss Advertising Battle with Beleaguered Supplement Manufacturer</title>
		<link>https://www.ftcguardian.com/articles/ftc-obtains-40-million-in-sanctions-in-weight-loss-advertising-battle-with-beleaguered-supplement-manufacturer/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Allyn Cutts]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 05 Nov 2017 13:07:08 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Deceptive Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Claims]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Truth In Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Federal Trade Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Online Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Online Advertising Guidelines]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.ftcguardian.com/articles/?p=5658</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[FTC Obtains $40 Million in Sanctions in Weight Loss Advertising Battle with Beleaguered Supplement Manufacturer By Josh Long What began in 2004 with a government complaint filed over weight loss advertisements has culminated 13 years later in one of the &#8230;  ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1 class="post-title">FTC Obtains $40 Million in Sanctions in Weight Loss Advertising Battle with Beleaguered Supplement Manufacturer</h1>
<p>By <a href="https://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/blogs/insider-law/2017/10/ftc-obtains-40-million-in-sanctions-in-weight-los.aspx">Josh Long</a></p>
<p>What began in 2004 with a government complaint filed over weight loss advertisements has culminated 13 years later in one of the largest monetary judgments ever obtained by the Federal Trade Commission (Commission) in a case involving dietary supplements.</p>
<p><a class="popup_7TLM_Cheat_Sheet" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#popup_7TLM_Cheat_Sheet_modal" href="#"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="/images/button_banner-7TLM_Cheat_Sheet.png" alt="" /></a></p>
<p>Commenting on Pannell’s order in a press release, the Commission noted it may use all or part of the $40 million judgment to provide refunds to duped consumers who purchased the supplements.</p>
<p>“The court’s decision sends a strong message that companies marketing these products need to have proper scientific evidence to support their advertising claims,&#8221; said Evan Mendelson, an FTC staff attorney who worked on the case, in an emailed statement.</p>
<p>Read full article and learn more about <a href="https://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/blogs/insider-law/2017/10/ftc-obtains-40-million-in-sanctions-in-weight-los.aspx">Deceptive Advertising here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy"><img decoding="async" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ftcguardian/images/728x90-Un-vjy-FTC-GUARDIAN-banner-2.gif" /></a></p>
<h2>Here’s How To Make Sure You, Your Business & Website Is FTC Compliant</h2>
<p>By now it should be clear how important it is for you to be FTC compliant. But how can you do that without spending $7,500-$8,000 or more on Internet Attorneys?</p>
<p>Smart business owners around the world are doing it with the help of FTC Guardian.</p>
<p>FTC Guardian is a service that is 100% focused on helping to keep you get and stay FTC compliant and fully protected. <a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">And right now, we are offering a free training to give you the knowledge, information, and guidance that you need to stay out of trouble with the Federal Trade Commission.</a></p>
<p>Free Compliance Workshop: <a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank"><strong>Join Chip Cooper, Esq., the #1 FTC Compliance trainer in the World, for a one-of-kind, completely free online compliance workshop. Workshops fill up quickly, so register now.</strong></a></p>
<p>Here are some of the things you’ll discover on the training:</p>
<ul>
<li>Real-Life Examples of People Who Didn’t Think They Were At Risk, But Who Got Nailed By The FTC, And Why It Could Happen To You, Too</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The 3 Enormous Powers The FTC Has That Can Change Your Life – And Your Family’s Life – Forever!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>How to Avoid FTC Claims When Collecting Leads With Optin Forms</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>3 Privacy Policy Mistakes Every Digital Marketer Is Making, And Why You’re In The FTC Crosshairs.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And Much More…</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Remember: legal protection is a massively important part of your business, and it’s one you cannot afford to ignore any longer.</b></p>
<p><a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Go here to register for our next FREE training and make your business is FTC compliant today!</a></p>
<p><b>Disclaimer:  This article is provided for informational purposes only. It’s not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Neither the author nor FTC Guardian, Inc. is endorsed by the Federal Trade Commission.</b></p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
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		<item>
		<title>FTC Compliance: What It&#8217;s Like To Get Sued By The FTC&#8230; And What You Can Do About It!</title>
		<link>https://www.ftcguardian.com/articles/ftc-compliance-online-advertising-online-advertising-guidelines-v1/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Allyn Cutts]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2015 09:13:43 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[FTC Compliance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Online Advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FTC Online Advertising Guidelines]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.ftcguardian.com/articles/?p=314</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[FTC Compliance &#8211; What It's Like To Get Sued By The FTC&#8230; And What To Do About It! By Chip Cooper, Esq. If you sell products or services online to consumers or to the work-at-home market, you’re subject to the &#8230;  ]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1><strong>FTC Compliance &#8211; What It's Like To Get Sued By The FTC&#8230; And What To Do About It!</strong></h1>
<p>By Chip Cooper, Esq.</p>
<p>If you sell products or services online to consumers or to the work-at-home market, you’re subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  The big takeaway:  FTC compliance is just as critical to your business success as your marketing plan.</p>
<p>They key to FTC compliance &#8211; and particularly for FTC online advertising compliance &#8211; is understanding and following, FTC online advertising guidelines.</p>
<p>This article will explain what it’s like to get sued by the FTC for violating FTC online advertising guidelines.  It will even explain how you can quickly and easily create your own FTC compliance report – essentially your own FTC compliance statement &#8211; that can be a valuable FTC compliance guide to help you avoid costly FTC claims as you operate your online business.</p>
<p><a href="http://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img decoding="async" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ftcguardian/images/728x90-Un-vjy-FTC-GUARDIAN-banner-2.gif" /></a></p>
<p><strong>What You’ll Learn</strong></p>
<p>You’ll learn 3 key takeaways.</p>
<ul>
<li>Why the FTC is now going after the little guys for FTC online advertising violations, and why you should be worried.</li>
<li>What it’s like to get sued by the FTC, and how your bank accounts and personal assets can be frozen and lost forever.</li>
<li>Real-life examples of people who didn’t think they were at risk, but who got nailed by the FTC</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Why The FTC Is Now Going After The Little Guys</strong></p>
<p>To understand why the FTC is now going after the little guys for FTC online advertising violations, you should understand the 3 distinct phases of FTC enforcement.</p>
<ul>
<li>Phase 1 – The “Wild, Wild” West. This is the period before 2009 when there was relatively little new FTC online advertising guidelines, and very little FTC enforcement.</li>
<li>Phase 2 – Beginning in 2009, the “tsunami” of new FTC online advertising guidelines. The new guidelines came at a stepped-up rate, and they continue to this day.  The primary targets were the big guys – Google, Facebook, Twitter.</li>
<li>Phase 3 – The FTC drill-down to the little guys beginning in 2014. It was bound to happen, and it started in 2014.  FTC lawsuits are now focusing on unsubstantiated FTC online advertising claims as well as deceptive ad claims involving such marketing practices as testimonials, membership sites with continuity billing plans, sales to the work-at-home market including turnkey websites, affiliate marketers, free offers, and deceptive statements on privacy policies.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Phase 3</strong> is expected to continue indefinitely into the future, so if you’re a little guy in terms of Internet marketing, protecting your business assets – and your personal and family assets – should now be your highest priority.</p>
<p><strong>How The FTC Collects Information To Build a Case Against You</strong></p>
<p>The FTC uses various techniques to collect information sufficient to build a lawsuit against you for violating FTC online advertising guidelines.  These techniques include the following.</p>
<ul>
<li>Direct observation – You’re visible on the Web 24&#215;7, so it’s easy for FTC personnel to view your ad claims, optin pages, social media posts, etc. Your FTC compliance failures are in full view all the time.</li>
<li>FTC complaint form – The FTC has a very comprehensive FTC compliance report form on their website that enables consumers to file an FTC compliance report about your alleged FTC violations.</li>
<li>FTC Facebook page – The FTC also uses their Facebook page to collect consumer gripes and complaints for purposes of the FTC starting an FTC compliance report file against you.</li>
<li>Better Business Bureau (BBB) – If a consumer files an FTC compliance statement alleging that you’ve committed an FTC online advertising violation, the BBB will usually file a follow-up FTC compliance statement with the FTC. The FTC relies heavily on these complaints filed with the BBB.</li>
<li>Civil Investigative Demand (CID) – When the FTC has collected each FTC Compliance report about you, the next step is to serve you with a CID which is essentially a   This may be your first warning that the FTC is targeting you for a claim.  You’ll be required to supply the FTC with additional information that they can use to complete building a case against you.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>What It’s Like To Get Sued By The FTC</strong></p>
<p>The lawsuit phase begins after the FTC collects all the information it needs to build an airtight case against you for your FTC compliance failures.  The lawsuit phase involves the following 3 steps.</p>
<ul>
<li>The Lawsuit – This is when your life changes forever. To initiate the lawsuit, the FTC will file a Complaint in the appropriate court alleging their claims for your FTC compliance failures.  In many cases, the FTC will request the court to grant immediate relief in the form of a temporary restraining order, asset freeze (including all of your bank and investment accounts), and the appointment of a Receiver to assume control of your business.  Your life will never be the same.</li>
<li>Settlement demand – After the FTC files the lawsuit, they typically will offer a non-negotiable settlement demand consisting of a continuing injunction, huge fines (equitable restitution), and burdensome requirements involving filing an FTC compliance report routinely for a period ranging from 10 to 20 years.  Most marketers accept the settlement demand.  A review of the few cases that were litigated (where the settlement demand was not accepted), the defendants would have fared much better had they accepted the settlement demand.  Litigating FTC compliance claims is almost always a bad idea.</li>
<li>The final court order – The court will convert your settlement into a court order.  You’ll not be able to discharge the fines by filing bankruptcy.  You’ll just have to live with it.  You will have to start your financial live over from this point forward.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Real-Life Examples Of People Who Didn’t Think They Were At Risk</strong></p>
<p><strong>But Who Got Nailed By The FTC</strong></p>
<p>The following 2 cases illustrate how being ethical is not sufficient to protect yourself from FTC claims for FTC compliance failures.</p>
<ul>
<li>FTC v. Online Entrepreneur (d/b/a Six Figure Income) and participating individuals. Online Entrepreneur’s engaged in FTC online advertising for the sale turnkey websites to work-at-home purchasers and training to become affiliate marketers for well-known companies such as Prada, Sony, Louis Vuitton, and Verizon to be followed by upsells for additional items such as domain names, website hosting services, coaching training, affiliate marketing training, and website enhancement materials.  The FTC claimed the following FTC compliance violations:  (i) false marketing practices regarding earnings claims of up to $15,000 per month, (ii)  deceptive marketing practices for failure to substantiate earnings claims, and (iii) violations of the FTC’s Business Opportunity Rule by providing “outlets” in the form of turnkey websites without the required disclosures.  The final settlement order imposed the following:  (i) permanent ban on defendants from sale of business opportunities and work-at-home opportunities; (ii) joint and several, personal liability for consent judgment of $2,923,318 (Judgment suspended upon surrender of all personal assets and bank accounts, sworn under penalty of perjury; full amount of judgment to become due immediately if defendants’ have misrepresented financial condition); and (iii) strict compliance reporting for 15 years.</li>
<li>FTC v. JDI Dating and corporate insider, William Thomas (a United Kingdom company). JDI and William Thomas engaged in FTC online advertising for marketing a worldwide dating service consisting of 18 websites that charged subscribers a fee to gain access to profiles of persons who may be good matches for love interests.  Free memberships with limited access to profiles and matches could be upgraded to paid subscriptions with greater access.  The FTC claimed the following FTC compliance violations:  (i) deceptive marketing practices with fake, computer-generated profiles to trick users into upgrading to paid memberships (the FTC claimed that the only indication the profiles were fake was a tiny &#8220;v&#8221; encircled by a &#8220;c&#8221;, and users were unlikely to notice it, let alone understand what it meant); (ii) deceptive marketing practices by failure to disclose automatic renewal terms for the membership continuity billing plan (the automatic renewal terms were buried in multiple pages of densely worded text inside the Terms of Conditions—which most people don't read).  The final settlement order imposed the following:  (i) permanent ban on defendants from misrepresentations regarding continuity plan disclosures and refund policies; (ii) joint and several, personal liability for consent judgment of $616,165 (not dischargeable in bankruptcy); and (iii) strict compliance reporting for 10 years.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong> <a class="popup_DATA_BROKER" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#popup_DATA_BROKER_modal" href="#"><img decoding="async" src="/images/button_banner-Data_Broker.png" alt="" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>Conclusion</strong></p>
<p>The online entrepreneurs who are the subject of the real-life examples discussed in this article didn’t intend to violate FTC online advertising guidelines.  And they probably believed they were OK with FTC compliance.   But they didn’t know what they didn’t know, and their lives were changed dramatically for their unwitting FTC compliance violations.</p>
<p>FTC Guardian provides simple and easy FTC compliance tools to help online entrepreneurs operate a worry-free online business.</p>
<p>One of the key benefits of membership in FTC Guardian is the FTC Audit Report generator that enables online entrepreneurs to generate an FTC compliance report that can be used as an FTC compliance guide.  The FTC compliance report will specify the key FTC compliance issues and requirements for a specific website that will help online understand FTC compliance requirements for the specific website.</p>
<p>About The Author.  Chip Cooper is a full-time Internet Attorney who is Of Counsel to the Atlanta, Georgia law firm of Jones & Haley, P.C.  Chip’s practice focuses on SaaS, Internet, software, and intellectual property law.  Chip is also a founder and CEO of FTC Guardian, Inc. and its <a href="http://www.ftcguardian.com">www.ftcguardian.com</a> website.  FTC Guardian provides tools to help online entrepreneurs develop strategies for FTC compliance, protect their intellectual property, and to otherwise protect their business and personal assets.</p>
<p><strong>Disclaimer:  This article is provided for informational purposes only.  It’s not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created.  Neither the author nor FTC Guardian, Inc. is endorsed by the Federal Trade Commission.</strong></p>
<h2>Here’s How To Make Sure You, Your Business & Website Is FTC Compliant</h2>
<p>By now it should be clear how important it is for you to be FTC compliant. But how can you do that without spending $7,500-$8,000 or more on Internet Attorneys?</p>
<p>Smart business owners around the world are doing it with the help of FTC Guardian.</p>
<p>FTC Guardian is a service that is 100% focused on helping to keep you get and stay FTC compliant and fully protected. <a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">And right now, we are offering a free training to give you the knowledge, information, and guidance that you need to stay out of trouble with the Federal Trade Commission.</a></p>
<p>Free Compliance Workshop: <a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Join Chip Cooper, Esq., the #1 FTC Compliance trainer in the World, for a one-of-kind, completely free online compliance workshop. Workshops fill up quickly, so register now.</strong></a></p>
<p>Here are some of the things you’ll discover on the training:</p>
<ul>
<li>Real-Life Examples of People Who Didn’t Think They Were At Risk, But Who Got Nailed By The FTC, And Why It Could Happen To You, Too</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The 3 Enormous Powers The FTC Has That Can Change Your Life – And Your Family’s Life – Forever!</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>How to Avoid FTC Claims When Collecting Leads With Optin Forms</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>3 Privacy Policy Mistakes Every Digital Marketer Is Making, And Why You’re In The FTC Crosshairs.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And Much More…</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Remember: legal protection is a massively important part of your business, and it’s one you cannot afford to ignore any longer.</b></p>
<p><a href="https://go.ftcguardian.com/bw4uoy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Go here to register for our next FREE training and make your business is FTC compliant today!</a></p>
<p><b>Disclaimer:  This article is provided for informational purposes only. It’s not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Neither the author nor FTC Guardian, Inc. is endorsed by the Federal Trade Commission.</b></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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