FTC Regulation Tracker – March 2024

Advertising Law

The Final Rules keep rolling in, but with a twist. Each of the two Final Rules released in March were accompanied by Supplemental Notices of Proposed Rulemaking. In both cases, the Supplemental Rulemakings, if adopted, would greatly expand the reach of the newly adopted Rulemakings.

On March 1, the FTC released a Final Rule prohibiting government and business impersonation schemes (the “Impersonation Rule”). The Impersonation Rule marks the first time since 1980 that the Commission finalized a new trade regulation rule prohibiting an unfair or deceptive practice. Along with the Final Rule, the FTC issued a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would, among other things, amend the newly adopted Impersonation Rule by expanding its prohibitions to encompass the impersonation of all individuals.

On March 7, the FTC released its long-awaited Final Rule updating the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). Among other things, the new TSR Rule extends telemarketing fraud provisions to cover business to business (B2B) calls and updates provisions on recordkeeping requirements. Simultaneous with the Final Rule, the FTC introduced a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to further amend the TSR. The Supplemental Rulemaking would extend the TSR’s reach to calls consumers make in response to an advertisement through any medium or to a direct mail solicitation.

We will provide additional analyses of these Rulemakings in the coming weeks.

FTC Proposal Proposal Type Manatt Insights Comments Due

Inbound Technical Support Coverage
(TSR Amendment)

Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking   60 Days Following Publication in the Federal Register
Government and Business Impersonation Rule Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking   April 30, 2024
Energy Labeling Rule Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Understanding the Changing Regulatory Landscape Under an Activist Federal Trade Commission April 19, 2024

Children’s Online Privacy Protection (COPPA) Rule

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

FTC Proposes Major Updates to Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act

Deadline Passed 

Unfair or Deceptive Fees (“Junk Fees”)

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Episode 27: Demystifying Junk Fees: What they are, regulatory considerations, and B2C marketing implications

FTC Seeks to Ban “Junk Fees” With a New Proposed Rule

Deadline Passed 
Power Output Claims for Amplifiers Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

 

Deadline Passed
Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

FTC’s Proposed New Rule Prohibiting Fake Reviews and Testimonials

The Comments Are In On the FTC’s Proposed Rule Banning Fake Reviews and Testimonials. What’s Next?

The FTC’s Proposed Rule Banning Fake Consumer Reviews and Testimonials: An Update
Deadline Passed
Health Breach Notification Rule Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

FTC and HHS Send Letter Warning of Risks From Online Tracking Technologies

FTC Proposed Health Breach Notification Rule Changes Target the Online Collection of Health Data

Deadline Passed
Negative Option Rule Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Episode 28: The Subscription and Continuity Product Conundrum: What the FTC’s proposed Negative Option Rule and State Automatic Renewal Laws mean for Marketers

Sellers Beware: FTC Proposes Changes to Automatic Renewal Laws

Automatic Renewal Laws: Everything to Know About the Surge in Litigation and Regulatory Enforcement

Deadline Passed
Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (“Green Guides”) Proposed Guidance The FTC Takes on ESG: Proposed Updates to the Green Guides Deadline Passed
Non-Compete Rule Notice of Proposed Rulemaking FTC Proposes Ban on Noncompetes Deadline Passed
Ophthalmic Practice Rule Notice of Proposed Rulemaking FTC Sends Warning Letters to Eyeglass Prescribers Deadline Passed
Commercial Surveillance and Data Security Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Protecting Consumer Health Data: FTC and State Actions to Close the Privacy Gap Deadline Passed
Earnings Claims  Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking  2022 FTC and NAD Roundup Deadline Passed
Business Opportunity Rule   Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking   Deadline Passed
Funeral Industry Practices Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking   Deadline Passed
Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods Notice of Proposed Rulemaking   Deadline Passed

To view the previous FTC Regulation Tracker updates, please see below:

FTC Regulation Tracker—January 2024

FTC Regulation Tracker—December 2023

FTC Regulation Tracker—November 2023

FTC Regulation Tracker—October 2023

FTC Regulation Tracker—August 2023

FTC Regulation Tracker—July 2023

FTC Regulation Tracker—June 2023

FTC Regulation Tracker—May 2023

FTC Regulation Tracker—April 2023

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