House Democrats on Wednesday filed legislation that would ban AI companies from using consumers’ personal data to set prices or wages, as expected (see 2507160067).
FTC Privacy Enforcement
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the primary enforcer of privacy laws in the U.S., using consent decrees, lawsuits and rulemaking to address unfair or deceptive data practices. The agency’s actions influence how companies design privacy programs, handle consumer data and respond to complaints. This page highlights major cases, policy updates, and enforcement patterns at the FTC that shape the U.S. privacy landscape.
The White House on Wednesday released its AI Action Plan, directing federal agencies to potentially withhold discretionary funding from states with AI regulations that “hinder” innovation. California's privacy agency and legislators from two other states rebuked the proposal.
A federal appeals court on Monday granted the Trump administration’s request for an emergency stay, blocking terminated FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter from returning to work (see 2507180039).
Healthline apparently violated “the gossip test for sensitive data” when it shared with advertisers titles of articles that individual users were reading, which effectively suggested they had certain medical diagnoses, Cobun Zweifel-Keegan, IAPP managing director for Washington, D.C., posted on the privacy association’s website Friday.
The public has until Aug. 19 to comment on a petition asking the FTC to vacate or modify an order against a “stalkerware” app, the agency said Friday.
President Donald Trump’s firing of FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter violated the FTC Act’s removal protections, a federal judge ruled Thursday, reinstating Slaughter at the agency. The White House said it will appeal.
A shareholder lawsuit seeking $8 billion from Facebook for alleged violations of user privacy in connection with Cambridge Analytica was reportedly settled Thursday morning.
Privacy Daily is providing readers with the top stories from last week, in case you missed them. All articles can be found by searching the title or clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.
The Interactive Advertising Bureau on Wednesday announced compliance tool updates for digital advertising companies.
Not only has General Motors (GM) and subsidiary OnStar unlawfully collected, processed and sold Nebraskans' sensitive data since 2015, but many residents unknowingly opted in to these data practices, Attorney General Mike Hilgers (R) alleged in a lawsuit against the companies Tuesday. The AG said GM and OnStar violated the Nebraska Consumer Protection Act and Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act.