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…

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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…

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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…

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Capital One Gets an Unwanted Wake Up Call

August 8, 2014

Capital One Gets an Unwanted Wake Up Call

By: Ifrah Law

In what could become the largest ever settlement in a case brought in the 22 year history of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), Capital One and three collection agencies agreed to pay over $75 million into a settlement fund to settle a consolidated class action lawsuit alleging that the companies used an automatic telephone dialing system (“ATDS”) or prerecorded voices to call more than…

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Google/Viacom Win Video Privacy Protection Act Case – Common Sense Finally Emerges

August 4, 2014

Google/Viacom Win Video Privacy Protection Act Case – Common Sense Finally Emerges

By: Ifrah Law

  In an important decision in a federal court case in New Jersey, In Re Nickelodeon Privacy Litigation, Google and Viacom obtained a dismissal of a claim against them under the Video Privacy Protection Act (“VPPA”).  The decision narrows the scope of who can be liable under the VPPA and what information is within the scope of the statute. Congress passed the VPPA in 1988…

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Disappearing Act Fails – Maryland Attorney General and FTC “snap” back at Snapchat

June 24, 2014

Disappearing Act Fails – Maryland Attorney General and FTC “snap” back at Snapchat

By: Ifrah Law

Recently, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office announced that it reached a settlement with Snapchat, Inc. over alleged deceptive trade practices in violation of Maryland law and violations of federal laws that are intended to protect children’s online privacy.  This is another reminder that state attorneys general’s offices will continue to be vigilant in addressing consumer privacy issues under both state and federal laws, when the…

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Weight Loss Claims and Dr. Oz Gain Congressional Interest

June 20, 2014

Weight Loss Claims and Dr. Oz Gain Congressional Interest

By: Michelle Cohen

We’ve all heard the statistics showing obesity rates rising in the U.S. year after year. Most of us are well aware of the billion dollar diet and weight-loss supplement industry to which millions turn with the hope of finding that one “miracle pill” to help them lose that stubborn belly fat or get rid of those unsightly love-handles.  Advertisers should be aware that the Federal…

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Higher Ed False Claims Act Suits – Pass or Fail?

June 10, 2014

Higher Ed False Claims Act Suits – Pass or Fail?

By: Nicole Kardell

Career Education Corporation, like a host of other for-profit education companies, has found itself spinning on the courthouse revolving door. The latest legal challenge for CEC: a False Claims Act suit filed in federal court in New Jersey on May 16. The lawsuit alleges that CEC defrauded the federal government by (1) falsifying job placement statistics to exaggerate the number of graduates working in their…

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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

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