Federal Trade Commission Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Federal trial over grocery chain merger begins in Oregon

By Lauren Gallup August 26, 2024

Workers spoke at a summit for workers' rights in Tacoma in July. This included grocery store workers, who spoke about concerns with inadequate staffing.

In Portland, Oregon, a federal judge is set to hear arguments this week in a case brought by the Federal Trade Commission against the proposed merger between the two grocery store chains, Kroger and Albertsons. Earlier this month, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington state, joined other members of Congress in filing an amicus brief opposing the merger. Read More

Facebook Gets Reprieve As Court Throws Out Major Antitrust Complaints

By NPR News June 28, 2021

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies remotely during a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on October 28, 2020. CREDIT: Pool/Getty Images

A federal judge has dismissed two blockbuster antitrust complaints against Facebook, in a setback to federal and state prosecutors who were pushing for a break-up of the social media giant.Read More

Amazon, TikTok, Facebook, Others Ordered To Explain What They Do With User Data

By NPR News December 15, 2020

The Federal Trade Commission gave nine social media and tech companies 45 days to hand over details on how they collect user data. It is the latest move by government actors to regulate Big Tech. Read More

48 AGs, FTC Sue Facebook, Alleging Illegal Power Grabs To ‘Neutralize’ Rivals

By NPR News December 9, 2020

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies before a House Financial Services Committee hearing in 2019. CREDIT: Andrew Harnik/AP

The state and federal officials say Facebook's acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram violated competition laws and served to stifle rivals by giving the social network an unfair advantage.Read More

Senator Asks FTC To Investigate Zoom’s ‘Deceptive’ Security Claims

By NPR News April 5, 2020

Millions of people are using Zoom to communicate, but the company is facing mounting scrutiny over whether it is adequately protecting users. Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Lawmakers and state attorneys general are scrutinizing the popular video conferencing company for potential violations, after users reported harassment and researchers uncovered security flaws.Read More

University Of Phoenix Reaches $191 Million Settlement With FTC Over Deceptive Ads

By NPR News December 10, 2019

The FTC said the University of Phoenix's ads sought to mislead prospective students by suggesting the school had close ties to Twitter, MGM and other large companies. University of Phoenix via FTC

The school has 15 business days to inform eligible students, "You no longer owe any money to University of Phoenix. You don't have to do anything to get this relief."Read More

Google, YouTube To Pay $170 Million Penalty Over Collecting Kids’ Personal Info

By NPR News September 4, 2019

Google and its YouTube subsidiary are settling allegations that YouTube collected personal information from children without their parents' consent, the Federal Trade Commission said.Read More

Did Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Intend To Deceive In Sharing User Data?

By NPR News July 28, 2019

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on April 11, 2018. Andrew Harnik/AP

Regulators missed a chance to find out if deceptive practices at Facebook came from the top when they decided to enter into a settlement with Zuckerberg instead of questioning him, an FTC member says.Read More

Equifax To Pay Up To $700 Million In Data Breach Settlement

By NPR News July 22, 2019

Equifax will pay up to $700 million in a proposed settlement over its 2017 data breach. CREDIT:: Mike Stewart/AP

The credit reporting agency will pay up to $700 million in fines and monetary relief to consumers over a 2017 data breach that affected nearly 150 million people.Read More

Uber Pays Nearly $150 Million Over Yearlong Cover-Up Of Data Breach

By NPR News September 27, 2018

Uber announced its settlement with 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, paying a penalty and promising to make its data security more robust. Here, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi is seen at an event in New York earlier this month. Richard Drew/AP

Instead of reporting the hacking intrusion as required, Uber paid the hackers $100,000 after learning of the breach in late 2016.Read More