Is Scrolling the New Smoking?

Is Scrolling the New Smoking?

January 21, 2026

Is Scrolling the New Smoking?

By: Lauren Scribner

In the final weeks of 2025, New York passed a law requiring social media platforms with “certain predatory features” to display warning labels about “the dangerous impact” those features pose to the mental health of users under the age of eighteen.[1] These so-called “predatory features” include continuous and infinite scrolling, displaying addictive feeds, and automatically playing video content.[2]  Warning labels will be displayed upon the initial use of the “predatory feature” and “periodically thereafter, based on continued use.”[3] Users will not have an option to bypass or skip the warnings. In support of the new measure, New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated, “[w]ith the amount of information that can be shared online, it is essential that we prioritize mental health…

Read More about Is Scrolling the New Smoking?

Influencer Liability: Will New-Age Litigation Net Celebrity Spokespeople?

December 12, 2025

Influencer Liability: Will New-Age Litigation Net Celebrity Spokespeople?

By: Lauren Scribner

The “influencer economy,” in which so-called “content creators” share user-generated content such as livestreams or short-form film, is showing no signs of slowing down.  Currently valued north of $250 billion, it is projected to reach nearly $500 billion by 2027.[1] “Creators earn income primarily through direct branding deals to pitch products as an influencer; via a share of advertising revenues with the host platform; and…

Read More about Influencer Liability: Will New-Age Litigation Net Celebrity Spokespeople?

The SEC Signs on to Arbitration

September 29, 2025

The SEC Signs on to Arbitration

By: George Calhoun

Early last week, on September 17, 2025, the SEC announced that it will no longer consider the presence of a mandatory arbitration provision in a company’s charter or bylaws when deciding whether to accelerate the effectiveness of a registration statement.  This policy shift will permit companies to include arbitration clauses in their governing documents to require securities litigants (including class action plaintiffs) to pursue their…

Read More about The SEC Signs on to Arbitration

Deadline Fast Approaches for Final DMCA Registration

November 7, 2017

Deadline Fast Approaches for Final DMCA Registration

By: Steven Eichorn

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) provides a safe harbor from copyright infringement liability for online service providers. While not a particularly famous law, it is a critical law because it enables websites to accommodate user-generated content without being concerned for copyright infringement claims by hosting that content. However, in order to preserve their safe harbor qualification, online service providers must submit an online registration…

Read More about Deadline Fast Approaches for Final DMCA Registration

Congress Saves Consumer Arbitration

October 25, 2017

Congress Saves Consumer Arbitration

By: George Calhoun

In July 2017, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (“CPFB”) announced a new rule broadly barring arbitration provisions in a wide swath of consumer contracts.  See 12 CFR part 1040.  To go into effect next Spring, the final rule would have prohibited providers of certain consumer financial products and services from using an agreement with a consumer that provides for arbitration of any future dispute…

Read More about Congress Saves Consumer Arbitration

GDPR D-Day: If Not Prepared, It Could Cost You Europe

September 26, 2017

GDPR D-Day: If Not Prepared, It Could Cost You Europe

By: Nicole Kardell

GDPR D-Day: May 25, 2018. If you are not prepared, the results could cost you Europe. In the U.S., we’ve had a pretty business-friendly approach to consumer data protection. And while federal and state authorities have their respective consumer protection laws, there is no single federal law that clearly defines U.S. policy on how consumer data may be collected and used. Businesses have come to…

Read More about GDPR D-Day: If Not Prepared, It Could Cost You Europe

A Giant Demanding Piece of … Restrictiveness: Do you need to pay attention to the coming GDPR?

August 28, 2017

A Giant Demanding Piece of … Restrictiveness: Do you need to pay attention to the coming GDPR?

By: Nicole Kardell

GDPR. If you see those letters and think it is an acronym for Gosh Darned Pain in the Rear (or an edgier equivalent) you are in large-part correct.  But if you don’t know any more than that, and you are a company with any ties to Europe, then you need to read further. GDPR, the General Data Protection Regulation, is an extensive and broad-reaching regulation…

Read More about A Giant Demanding Piece of … Restrictiveness: Do you need to pay attention to the coming GDPR?

ICOs: Proceed with Caution

July 25, 2017

ICOs: Proceed with Caution

By: Steven Eichorn

Today, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued an investor bulletin and an investigative report. The investigative report found that companies involved in sales of digital assets via distributed ledger or blockchain technology may be engaged in conduct subject to federal securities laws. While this report is the first of its kind to address initial coin offerings (“ICO”) or token sales and securities regulation, companies…

Read More about ICOs: Proceed with Caution

Articles and Presentations by Our Firm Attorneys

Is Scrolling the New Smoking?

Is Scrolling the New Smoking?
By: Lauren Scribner

Influencer Liability: Will New-Age Litigation Net Celebrity Spokespeople?

Influencer Liability: Will New-Age Litigation Net Celebrity Spokespeople?
By: Lauren Scribner

The SEC Signs on to Arbitration

The SEC Signs on to Arbitration
By: George Calhoun

Subscribe to Ifrah Law’s Insights