Consumer Protection

  • May 06, 2025

    Autonomous Cars Get Regs Jumpstart, But Long Road Ahead

    Federal and California regulators recently proposed new rules carrying the promise of boosting development of the next generation of cars that can drive themselves, but the U.S. is still a ways from seeing wide-scale commercial deployment, despite a growing number of robotaxis and autonomous trucks popping up in cities, experts say.

  • May 06, 2025

    Ga. Court Axes Web Tracking Class Action Against Hospital

    A Georgia hospital has defeated a putative class action alleging that it allowed Meta Platforms Inc.'s Pixel software to pilfer the data of thousands of patients who accessed its websites, as a state court judge ruled the suit relied on "conclusory" theories and alleged only the prospect that patients' information could be compromised.

  • May 06, 2025

    4th Circ. Affirms Win For Ariz. Law Firm In 'Sham' TCPA Suit

    The Fourth Circuit on Tuesday upheld a lower court's decision to vacate a $2 million jury award against a Phoenix-based law firm, saying the dozens of Telephone Consumer Protection Act cases the firm brought against a student loan servicer shouldn't be considered "sham litigation" as the jury initially held.

  • May 06, 2025

    Honda Can't Toss Suit Over Defective Infotainment System

    An Illinois federal judge won't fully dismiss a proposed class action from a woman alleging that her 2020 Honda Pilot was sold with a defective infotainment system, finding that she has standing to pursue monetary damages, but not an injunction because she no longer has the vehicle.

  • May 06, 2025

    FTC Commissioner Throws Cold Water On Antitrust Defenses

    Newly minted Federal Trade Commissioner Mark R. Meador criticized several arguments frequently raised in antitrust cases during a speech Monday, including that company breakups are too extreme and that innovation can justify anticompetitive conduct.

  • May 06, 2025

    Diageo Overstates Agave Content In Tequilas, Suit Says

    Global liquor giant Diageo North America falsely advertises its Casamigos and Don Julio beverages as containing 100% tequila agave, despite that the distilled spirits are adulterated with significant amounts of cane or other types of alcohol, according to a proposed class action filed Monday in New York federal court. 

  • May 06, 2025

    Morgan Stanley Says SEC Has Closed Cash Sweep Probe

    The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has ended an investigation into Morgan Stanley's cash sweep program without recommending an enforcement action, the bank told investors.

  • May 06, 2025

    CFPB Abandons Enforcement Of Buy Now, Pay Later Rule

    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced Tuesday that it will not prioritize enforcement actions taken on buy now, pay later products, adding to the list of positions the agency is reviewing or rolling back under the organization's new leadership.

  • May 06, 2025

    Ill. Judge Trims False Ad Suit Over Smartfood Popcorn

    An Illinois federal judge on Monday partially granted a bid by PepsiCo to dismiss a putative class action alleging popcorn made by subsidiary Smartfoods Inc. was deceptively marketed as containing no artificial flavors or preservatives, when it contains maltodextrin, while saying the plaintiffs had done enough at this stage to allege the ingredient is an artificial preservative.

  • May 06, 2025

    Treasury Bans Burmese Militia Group From US Business Deals

    The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Burmese militia group the Karen National Army, its leader Saw Chit Thu and his sons Saw Htoo Eh Moo and Saw Chit Chit, banning them from doing business with any American entity or individuals.

  • May 06, 2025

    Google Calls Proposed Ad Tech Breakup 'Unworkable'

    Google has told a Virginia federal court that fixes being proposed by enforcers in the ad tech monopolization case calling for the sale of its ad exchange and publisher-side tool are legally inappropriate and practically "unworkable."

  • May 06, 2025

    Unilever Reaches $3.6M Settlement In Benzene In Shampoo Suit

    A proposed class of dry shampoo buyers has asked a Connecticut federal court to give the go-ahead to a $3.6 million settlement to end claims that Unilever United States Inc.'s dry shampoos contain the carcinogen benzene.

  • May 06, 2025

    State Officials Say CFPB Is Holding Up $4.2M Redress Checks

    Officials from a dozen states have accused the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau of ghosting them on a $4.2 million redress plan for former students of a shuttered sales-training firm, saying the agency has not cut any checks and is not answering them.

  • May 06, 2025

    Senate Tees Up Vote Against FCC Wi-Fi Funding Plan

    The Senate on Tuesday advanced a GOP bill to nullify the Federal Communications Commission's program to fund Wi-Fi hot spots for students off-campus through the E-Rate school and library subsidy.

  • May 06, 2025

    Meta Wins $168M Verdict Against NSO Over WhatsApp Hack

    A California federal jury found Tuesday that Israeli spyware-maker NSO Group owes Meta Platforms Inc. $444,719 in compensatory damages and a staggering $167.25 million in punitive damages for hacking 1,400 WhatsApp users' devices.

  • May 02, 2025

    Republicans Tout Bill To Make App Stores Verify Users' Ages

    Two Republican lawmakers introduced a bill Thursday to protect minor app users by requiring app stores and developers to vet their ages through a verification process and seek parental consent before allowing them to download apps or make any purchases. 

  • May 06, 2025

    Co. Not Liable For Injuries In Employee Attack, 11th Circ. Says

    The Eleventh Circuit ruled Monday that wholesale restaurant supply store McLane Foodservice is not liable for injuries suffered by an employee who was set on fire at work by a former partner because the company could not have foreseen this kind of violent, premeditated act.

  • May 06, 2025

    SafeMoon CEO Tells Jury Founder To Blame For Investor Fib

    Counsel for a U.S. Army veteran in Utah who served as CEO of SafeMoon told a Brooklyn, New York, federal jury Tuesday that he did not conspire to loot the crypto company's assets, implying its fugitive founder is to blame for a key misrepresentation.

  • May 06, 2025

    Car Seat Maker Sued Over Faulty Recall, Replacement Parts

    Kids' product maker Dorel Juvenile Group Inc. recalled car seats with a headrest cover that posed a choking hazard to young children, then sent customers new parts that do not solve the problem, according to a proposed class action.

  • May 06, 2025

    Senate Panel Advances Bowman For Fed Supervision Chief

    The U.S. Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday endorsed President Donald Trump's selection of Federal Reserve Gov. Michelle Bowman to be the top bank regulatory official at the central bank, advancing her as part of his latest slate of financial nominees.

  • May 06, 2025

    Calif. Agency Hits Retailer In Latest Privacy Enforcement Strike

    The California Privacy Protection Agency revealed its second action under a state data privacy law on Tuesday, requiring national clothing retailer Todd Snyder Inc. to pay more than $345,000 and overhaul its business practices to resolve claims that the company mishandled requests by consumers to stop the sale and sharing of their personal information.

  • May 05, 2025

    Class Cert. Partially Granted In Auto Insurance Discount Case

    A California federal court partially granted class certification Monday over policyholders' claims that a group of insurers violated the state's rule on good driver discounts.

  • May 05, 2025

    OpenAI Abandons For-Profit Plan After Musk Suit Is Preserved

    OpenAI announced Monday that it was no longer pursuing plans to transition the ChatGPT maker into a for-profit enterprise, changing course just days after a California federal judge refused to throw out the bulk of Elon Musk's suit challenging those plans.

  • May 05, 2025

    Iowa E-Cigarette Law Paused Over Federal Preemption

    An Iowa federal judge has blocked enforcement of a new state law banning the sale of certain e-cigarettes while a legal challenge to the policy plays out, with the court finding the law at issue in the suit is likely preempted by federal law.

  • May 05, 2025

    'Punish' NSO For WhatsApp Hack, Meta Tells Jury In Closings

    Meta's counsel urged a California federal jury during trial closings Monday to "punish" Israeli spyware-maker NSO Group by awarding "significant" punitive damages, plus $445,000 in compensatory damages, for "vile" conduct hacking 1,400 WhatsApp users' devices, while NSO's counsel argued Meta never lost money and its demands are a PR stunt.

Expert Analysis

  • 4th Circ. Health Data Ruling Opens Door To State Law Claims

    Author Photo

    In Real Time Medical v. PointClickCare, the Fourth Circuit recently clarified that state law claims can rest in part on violations of a federal law that prohibits electronic health information blocking, expanding legal risks for health IT companies and potentially creating exposure to a range of competitive implications, say attorneys at BCLP.

  • Opinion

    Lawsuits Shouldn't Be Shadow Assets For Foreign Capital

    Author Photo

    Third-party litigation financing amplifies inefficiencies from litigation and facilitates national exposure to foreign influence in the U.S. justice system, so full disclosure of financing arrangements should be required as a matter of institutional integrity, says Roland Eisenhuth at the American Property Casualty Insurance Association.

  • How To Accelerate Your Post-Attorney Career Transition

    Author Photo

    Professionals seeking to transition to nonattorney careers may encounter skepticism as nontraditional candidates, but there are opportunities for thought leadership and to leverage speaking and writing to accelerate a post-attorney career transition, say Janet Falk at Falk Communications and Evgeny Efremkin at Toronto Metropolitan University.

  • 3 Action Items For Innovators Amid Fintech Regulatory Pivot

    Author Photo

    As the federal banking agencies seek to smooth the way for banks to engage in crypto-related activities, banks and technology companies should take note of this new chapter in payments services, especially as leadership in digital financial technology becomes a national priority, says Jess Cheng at Wilson Sonsini.

  • Opinion

    GENIUS Act Can Bring Harmony To Crypto-Banking Discord

    Author Photo

    ​​​​​​​By embracing crypto innovation while establishing appropriate guardrails, the so-called GENIUS Act charts a path forward that promotes financial inclusion and technological advancement without compromising stability or constitutional rights, says J.W. Verret at George Mason University's Antonin Scalia Law School.

  • Series

    Law School's Missed Lessons: Be An Indispensable Associate

    Author Photo

    While law school teaches you to research, write and think critically, it often overlooks the professional skills you will need to make yourself an essential team player when transitioning from a summer to full-time associate, say attorneys at Stinson.

  • 23andMe Case Highlights Privacy Complexities In Ch. 11

    Author Photo

    Attorneys at Pryor Cashman discuss the interplay between a sale of personally identifiable information and bankruptcy law in light of genetics and health company 23andMe's recent filing for Chapter 11 relief.

  • Mass. AG Emerges As Key Player In Consumer Protection

    Author Photo

    Through enforcement actions and collaborations with other states — including joining a recent amicus brief decrying the defunding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell has established herself as a thought leader for consumer protection and corporate accountability, say attorneys at Troutman Pepper.

  • Series

    Birding Makes Me A Better Lawyer

    Author Photo

    Observing and documenting birds in their natural habitats fosters patience, sharpens observational skills and provides moments of pure wonder — qualities that foster personal growth and enrich my legal career, says Allison Raley at Arnall Golden.

  • Series

    Calif. Banking Brief: All The Notable Legal Updates In Q1

    Author Photo

    Among the most notable developments in California banking in the first quarter of the year, regulators and legislators issued regulations interpreting debt collection laws, stepped up enforcement actions, and expanded consumer protections for those affected by wildfires, says Stephen Britt at Severson & Werson.

  • Inside State AGs' Arguments Defending The CFPB

    Author Photo

    Recent amicus briefs filed by a coalition of 23 attorneys general argue that the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will irreparably harm consumers in several key areas, making clear that states are preparing to fill in any enforcement gaps, say attorneys at Kelley Drye.

  • Series

    Adapting To Private Practice: From DOJ Leadership To BigLaw

    Author Photo

    The move from government service to private practice can feel like changing one’s identity, but as someone who has left the U.S. Department of Justice twice, I’ve learned that a successful transition requires patience, effort and the realization that the rewards of practicing law don’t come from one particular position, says Richard Donoghue at Pillsbury.

  • In-House Expert Testimony Is Tricky, But Worth Considering

    Author Photo

    Litigation counsel often reject the notion of designating in-house personnel to provide expert opinion testimony at trial, but dismissing them outright can result in a significant missed opportunity, say David Ben-Meir at Ben-Meir Law and Martin Pitha at Lillis Pitha.

  • Tracking Changes To AI Evidence Under Federal Rules

    Author Photo

    As the first quarter of 2025 draws to a close, important changes to the Federal Rules of Evidence regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the courtroom are on the horizon, including how to handle evidence that is a product of machine learning, say attorneys at Debevoise.

  • Reconciling 2 Smoke Coverage Cases From California

    Author Photo

    As highlighted by a California Department of Insurance bulletin clarifying the effect of two recent decisions on insurance coverage, the February state appellate ruling denying coverage for property damage from smoke, ash and soot should be viewed as an outlier, say attorneys at Reed Smith.

Want to publish in Law360?


Submit an idea

Have a news tip?


Contact us here
Can't find the article you're looking for? Click here to search the Consumer Protection archive.
Hello! I'm Law360's automated support bot.

How can I help you today?

For example, you can type:
  • I forgot my password
  • I took a free trial but didn't get a verification email
  • How do I sign up for a newsletter?
Ask a question!