North America: Consumer Protection

As the demand for "clean beauty" and sustainable personal care products continues to grow, so too does the risk of deceptive advertising and greenwashing claims.

On June 12, 2026, Bill 10, titled the “Act to protect consumers against abusive practices related to ticket resale and online subscription renewals” (“Bill 10”), received assent. Through this reform, the Québec legislature has tightened the framework applicable to certain commercial practices, particularly with respect to online subscriptions, termination of contracts involving sequential performance, and ticket resale. Bill 10 amends, among other things, the Consumer Protection Act (“CPA”) and the Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act (the “Regulation”).

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released its Semiannual Regulatory Agenda covering the period from January 2026 through November 2026. Published through the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs...

The FTC has reached a $35 million settlement with Hopper over allegations that the travel app company charged consumers hidden fees without consent and misrepresented the benefits of its VIP Support and Price Freeze services. The case marks one of the first enforcement actions under the FTC's Unfair and Deceptive Fees Rule, commonly known as the "Junk Fee Rule," which took effect in May 2025.

This comprehensive consumer protection update examines recent federal and state enforcement actions targeting companies for alleged violations ranging from Fair Credit Reporting Act breaches to deceptive "Made in USA" claims. The newsletter also covers emerging regulatory developments, including the FTC's proposed policy statement on AI accuracy and state-level initiatives addressing artificial intelligence governance and consumer protection.

New York City's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has proposed a sweeping rule that would prohibit hidden junk fees and mandate all-in pricing for virtually every consumer good and service advertised in the city. The regulation would represent one of the broadest municipal price-transparency requirements in the country, extending far beyond industry-specific initiatives to create a generally applicable standard with significant recordkeeping obligations and civil penalties. Financial services com

Federal banking regulators have issued new guidance addressing credit risks when lending to individuals not legally authorized to work in the United States, following a presidential executive order directing agencies to examine financial services extended to undocumented immigrants. The guidance emphasizes existing safety-and-soundness obligations while raising questions about how institutions should balance risk management with fair lending principles and access to mainstream credit.

As CFPB Acting Director Russell Vought prepares to testify before Congress, industry experts weigh in on the anticipated direction of the agency under new leadership. Senior Counsel Alan S. Kaplinsky, a veteran of consumer financial services law, provides his analysis on what stakeholders can expect from the hearing and its implications for enforcement priorities.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has proposed regulations that would prohibit licensed medical care providers and debt collectors from reporting medical debt to consumer credit agencies. The proposal aims to protect patients from long-term financial harm following unexpected medical emergencies, with non-compliant providers potentially losing their licenses. This move follows similar actions in at least 17 other states, though some state laws face legal challenges based on federal preemption arguments.

Colorado's Senate Bill 26-145 fundamentally restructures how school districts must involve charter schools in capital construction ballot questions, replacing informal discussion requirements with a detailed, timeline-driven process.

Explore how Bermuda's legal profession has evolved and strengthened its regulatory framework, professional standards, and community engagement since celebrating 400 years of established courts. Discover the mechanisms that maintain the jurisdiction's reputation as a premier international business center through robust bar governance, continuing education requirements, and disciplinary oversight.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Title IX permits schools to limit participation in girls' and women's sports to students assigned female at birth, and that state laws restricting such participation do not violate the Equal Protection Clause. This landmark decision provides critical guidance for educational institutions and state policymakers on athletic eligibility rules. The Court's 9-0 decision on Title IX and 6-3 ruling on constitutional grounds establishes clear parameters for schools navigating t