Worldwide: Consumer Protection

Consumer protection enforcement continues to evolve as federal agencies and state attorneys general pursue cases involving deceptive subscription practices, imposter scams, and algorithmic pricing. Recent regulatory developments include new state legislation targeting surveillance pricing and the formation of specialized enforcement teams focused on affordability issues.

The FTC has intensified enforcement against subscription billing practices, recently securing a court order to halt Genesis Tech's alleged deceptive subscription schemes spanning fitness apps, PDF tools, and self-help courses. In a separate action, Shutterstock agreed to pay $35 million to settle charges of unauthorized billing and difficult cancellation processes that affected millions of consumers.

The U.S. Supreme Court has fundamentally altered the structure of federal agency independence by ruling that the President can fire FTC Commissioners at will, overturning nearly 90 years of precedent. This landmark decision eliminates the traditional "for cause" removal protections that had insulated the Federal Trade Commission from direct presidential control. The ruling raises critical questions about how this shift in executive power will impact the consistency and predictability of advertising regulati

The FTC has intensified enforcement against subscription billing practices, recently securing a court order to halt Genesis Tech's alleged deceptive subscription schemes spanning fitness apps, PDF tools, and self-help courses. In a separate action, Shutterstock agreed to pay $35 million to settle charges of unauthorized billing and difficult cancellation processes that affected millions of consumers.

A federal court has issued a stay blocking the Department of Education's narrowed definition of "professional degree" just days before it was set to take effect, creating uncertainty for graduate students seeking higher federal loan limits. The ruling prevents enforcement of regulations that would have restricted which graduate programs qualify for increased borrowing under recent tax legislation.

The CFPB has rescinded a December 2020 advisory opinion that addressed Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCP) offered by for-profit entities that use the common characteristics of race, color, national origin, or sex...

On May 5, 2026, the New Mexico Environment Department (“NMED”) published a final rule implementing the state’s Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Protection Act (enacted 2025).

This monthly newsletter examines significant legal trends and landmark cases in product liability and mass torts, from RICO liability in fabricated medical records schemes to AI chatbot regulation and PFAS drinking water standards. The analysis covers critical developments including the Supreme Court's FIFRA preemption ruling in Roundup litigation, bankruptcy estate successor liability clarifications, and emerging issues around AI-generated expert testimony.

Manufacturing PMI has accelerated to its strongest level since mid-2022, while spot trucking rates and crude oil prices have surged dramatically in early 2026. The Strait of Hormuz disruption has compounded cost pressures across consumer sectors, though an interim U.S.-Iran ceasefire may bring margin relief if peace holds through the critical Q3 retail build-up period.

Florida's 2026 legislative session introduced sweeping regulations targeting entities associated with foreign countries of concern, designated foreign terrorist organizations, and newly defined domestic terrorist organizations. These laws terminate existing agreements, prohibit contracts and charitable contributions, impose criminal penalties, and establish special restrictions on educational institutions and real property transactions, with unique provisions allowing the governor to suspend Cuba-related re

A federal court has issued a stay blocking the Department of Education's narrowed definition of "professional degree" just days before it was set to take effect, creating uncertainty for graduate students seeking higher federal loan limits. The ruling prevents enforcement of regulations that would have restricted which graduate programs qualify for increased borrowing under recent tax legislation.

The NCAA Division I Cabinet has fundamentally restructured college athletics eligibility by replacing decades-old season-of-competition rules with a streamlined age-based model. This sweeping change eliminates sport-specific restrictions and the waiver process while granting student-athletes five years of competition based on enrollment timing. However, the new framework faces immediate legal challenges from athletes who claim the transition rules create arbitrary distinctions among members of the same high