Legislation, Regulation Posts

Pause Play? CFPB Gaming-Related Rules on Hold

Feb 12, 2025

Pause Play? CFPB Gaming-Related Rules on Hold

Newly installed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) Director Russell Vought directed agency staff to stop work on agency matters and stay home. The future of many of the CFPB-led initiatives looks bleak, including a recent interpretive rule proposal that would treat video game publishers like payment processors. Background Congress created the CFPB, an independent federal…

Temporary relief from compliance obligations under the Corporate Transparency Act

Dec 5, 2024

Temporary relief from compliance obligations under the Corporate Transparency Act

On December 3, 2024, a U.S. District Court[1] issued a nationwide preliminary injunction that enjoins the federal government from enforcing the Corporate Transparency Act (the CTA)[2]. The CTA requires “reporting companies” in the United States to disclose basic identifying information about their beneficial owners — the individuals who ultimately own or control a company —…

Will Free Speech Become Expensive for Big Tech?

Dec 2, 2024

Will Free Speech Become Expensive for Big Tech?

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act[1] is the federal law that allows internet platforms to host online content without fear of lawsuits based on third party content. In other words, for hosting free speech, internet providers are given immunity from liability if the speech somehow crosses the line from protected free speech into unprotected…

Dolce Vita Ruling a Win for Cookies and Pixels Alike

Nov 21, 2024

Dolce Vita Ruling a Win for Cookies and Pixels Alike

In recent years, companies in industries from media to healthcare have faced a rash of lawsuits challenging their use of common web tracking technologies such as the Meta Pixel. These cases generally allege that the use of such tracking technologies violates common law privacy protections and a wide range of state and federal privacy statutes….

FTC Adds COPPA Violations to the Growing List of Privacy Concerns While TikTok is on the Clock

Aug 13, 2024

FTC Adds COPPA Violations to the Growing List of Privacy Concerns While TikTok is on the Clock

For years now, TikTok has seemed to be the center of attention. From viral baking content to true crime to dancing videos to family-influencer content, everyone seems to be on it or talking about it. And the FTC has said that’s part of the problem. On August 2, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) brought a suit…

Chevron Overruling Sparks Regulatory Uncertainty Across Industries

Jul 10, 2024

Chevron Overruling Sparks Regulatory Uncertainty Across Industries

A landmark decision by the Supreme Court overruled 40-year precedent that provided the bedrock for modern federal agency rulemaking and administration. In Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (2024), alongside its companion case Relentless, Inc. v. Department of Commerce, the Supreme Court overruled Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (1984), holding that deference…

The FTC Kills Noncompetes

Apr 30, 2024

The FTC Kills Noncompetes

In a groundbreaking move that will reshape the workplace and many litigation practices nationwide, the FTC has issued a final rule that effectively bans all employee non-compete clauses.  Approximately 30 million Americans currently work under a non-compete clause.  All but a few applicable to senior executives will be void upon the effective date of the…

Social Media Networks’ Section 230 Immunity on the Chopping Block? New York Court Allows Claims to Proceed Stemming from Buffalo Shooting

Apr 1, 2024

Social Media Networks’ Section 230 Immunity on the Chopping Block? New York Court Allows Claims to Proceed Stemming from Buffalo Shooting

Since 1996, Internet platforms and social media companies have relied on a federal law, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, to protect them from liability for civil law claims stemming from content on their platforms. As the influence of platforms like Facebook, Twitter (now X), and others has grown, members of Congress, consumer groups,…

Major Developments on the Horizon for Bankruptcy Law

Nov 16, 2023

Major Developments on the Horizon for Bankruptcy Law

The Supreme Court rarely hears bankruptcy cases – typically one per term. But 2023 has been different, the Court already has ruled on four bankruptcy matters, including sovereign immunity issues with respect to Puerto Rico and Indian tribes, appellate review of § 363 sale orders, the discharge of debts obtained by another’s fraud. In addition…

California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act Stymied After Federal District Court Ruling

Sep 27, 2023

California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act Stymied After Federal District Court Ruling

As state legislatures pursue laws directed at online safety and privacy for children, federal courts are striking down their efforts. The latest example is California’s Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (CA-AADC), which a federal judge in the Northern District of California enjoined from enforcement. While larger questions loom about constitutional authority and what is the best…