Category Archives: International Developments

January 15, 2014

Apple Settles With U.S. FTC in Kids’ In-App Disclosure Case – Highlights Importance of Upfront Disclosure of Charges & Key Terms

Earlier today, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Apple Inc. had agreed to refund consumers USD $32.5 million, under a proposed consent order, in relation to alleged failures to adequately disclose kids’ mobile app charges. More specifically, the case involved FTC allegations that … Read the rest of this entry »

December 10, 2013

New Competition Blogs: U.S. FTC Launches New “Competition Matters” Blog

December 10, 2013 Yesterday the U.S. Federal Trade Commission launched a new competition law and enforcement related blog called Competition Matters.  From the FTC: “Welcome to Competition Matters, the FTC’s newest blog for all things competition.  We hope to become your go-to spot for the … Read the rest of this entry »

November 19, 2013

U.S. Federal Trade Commission Gets Court Order to Stop Allegedly Canada-based Fraudulent “Yellow Pages” Directory Scheme

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it has obtained a federal court order to temporarily halt the operations and freeze the assets of an alleged fraudulent Montreal-based “Yellow Pages” business directory scheme.  In making the announcement, the FTC said: “Hiding behind borders to … Read the rest of this entry »

September 24, 2013

New York to Crack Down on Fake Online Testimonials & Some Thoughts from Canada

In a curious advertising story making the media rounds over the past few days (see: here and here), New York regulators are planning to crack down on phony online reviews (sometimes referred to as “astroturfing” using the synthetic grass term as a metaphor for fake … Read the rest of this entry »

February 11, 2013

Concurrences 2013 Antitrust Writing Awards

Thank you very much to Concurrences for short-listing one of my articles on Canadian bid-rigging for their upcoming 2013 Antitrust Writing Awards: Competition Bureau Jointly Lays 77 Charges Against 11 Individuals and 9 Companies in Quebec Bid-rigging Case – Tough Stance on Criminal Enforcement Continues.  … Read the rest of this entry »

December 10, 2012

U.S. Federal Trade Commission Issues Second Report on Kids’ Apps and Privacy, Launches Investigations

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a very interesting new report on kids’ apps and privacy entitled: Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade (see: here and here) (and announced new investigations).  The FTC’s new report examines the privacy disclosures … Read the rest of this entry »

November 24, 2012

Interesting New U.K. OFT Price Comparison Website Report and Recommendations for PCWs & Some Thoughts on Comparative Advertising

November 24, 2012 On November 23, 2012, the U.K. Office of Fair Trading (OFT) announced that it had written to 100 leading price comparison websites (“PCWs”) asking that they take steps to ensure they were providing clear information to consumers (see: here).  In making the … Read the rest of this entry »