Consumer Protection Law and Regulations

North Carolina has joined a growing number of states seeking to address the consumer protection risks associated with cryptocurrency kiosks. On July 8, Gov. Josh Stein signed H.B. 920 into law, creating the Virtual Currency Kiosk Consumer Protection Act, which provides a comprehensive regulatory framework governing virtual currency kiosks operating in the state. The act takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

Affordability remains front and center at the FTC. This month, the agency turned its attention to healthcare and gas costs. It also issued detailed guidance on price transparency for auto dealers that marketers in any industry might want to heed: the advertised price “must be the actual price that any consumer can walk in and pay,” with only government fees excluded. The FTC continues to consider how to combat scams and is seeking public comment on whether online platforms should help stop scammers who use those platforms to impersonate third parties by, for example, requiring the removal of confirmed impersonation scam ads.

The telemarketing industry was rocked this week by a decision out of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida in a Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) DNC text case.

Recent federal court decisions are reshaping TCPA litigation by narrowing the scope of actionable communications and consent requirements. Multiple district courts have ruled that text messages...

A Southern District of Florida judge recently declined to enter a default judgment against a defendant in a TCPA case, determining that the term 'residential telephone subscriber' under 227(c)(1) does not extend to cell phones. This decision has significant implications for how telecommunications consumer protection laws apply to mobile devices versus traditional landlines.

Colorado's Automated Decision-Making Technology Act takes effect January 1, 2027, imposing new compliance obligations on businesses that use automated systems to make consequential decisions about individuals. The October 2026 interim draft rules establish a rebuttable presumption framework for determining when ADMT "materially influences" decisions, while clarifying disclosure requirements, human review standards, and multiparty responsibilities.

The Federal Trade Commission has secured a settlement with an auto dealership group over allegations of deceptive pricing practices, including advertising vehicles thousands of dollars below actual purchase prices and using misleading prize promotions. The proposed order would require prominent disclosure of total vehicle prices and prohibit misrepresentations concerning pricing, financing, and promotional incentives.

When does a disclosure on the back of a package save a misleading claim on the front? A federal court's ruling in a class action against Barilla over its "Italy's #1 Brand of Pasta" slogan clarifies when disclosures on other panels can resolve ambiguous claims versus when front-panel statements are unambiguously deceptive.

This comprehensive newsletter covers recent consumer protection enforcement actions by the FTC, CFPB, and state Attorneys General, alongside NAD advertising challenge decisions and regulatory developments. The update examines settlements involving deceptive business practices, data breaches, and unlawful operations, while highlighting new guidance on price transparency and impersonation rules that will shape compliance strategies across industries.

Licensed customs brokers face two critical deadlines in 2027, not just one. While the triennial status report is due in February, the continuing education requirements must be completed by January 31st.

State athlete-agent laws create a complex regulatory patchwork across the United States, with variations in registration requirements, disclosure obligations, and enforcement mechanisms that significantly impact agents, agencies, schools, and student-athletes in the NIL era. Understanding how the Uniform Athlete Agents Act, Revised Uniform Athlete Agents Act, and state-specific statutes interact is essential for compliance as regulatory scrutiny intensifies.

A federal court has allowed a putative antitrust class action to proceed against 32 private colleges and universities, finding that plaintiffs plausibly alleged a horizontal agreement among schools not to compete for prospective students admitted through Early Decision. The ruling highlights a new trend of using antitrust laws to target higher education practices that have not historically been considered commercial conduct, raising questions about the legality of coordinated admissions and financial aid po