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Is Scrolling the New Smoking?
FEATURED
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…
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…
After Google Action, Those Who Dig for Dirt Must Dig a Little Harder
October 14, 2013
After Google Action, Those Who Dig for Dirt Must Dig a Little Harder
By: Jeffrey Hamlin
Google recently announced that it would be taking action to demote websites that profit from the use of mugshot photos. These mugshot sites compile booking photographs taken after people’s arrests and publish them along with the arrestees’ names and information concerning the charges against them. Individuals who want their mugshot and arrest record deleted from the site usually must pay a fee ranging anywhere from…
CFPB Shows It’s a Tough New Cop on the Beat With Case Against Payment Processor
October 7, 2013
CFPB Shows It’s a Tough New Cop on the Beat With Case Against Payment Processor
By: Michelle Cohen
On October 3, 2013, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced it had filed a complaint in federal district court in Washington state against a leading debt-settlement payment processor, Meracord LLC, and its CEO. The CFPB contends that Meracord helped third parties collect millions of dollars in illegal upfront fees from consumers. The complaint alleged violations of the Federal Trade Commission’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR) and…
How to Break the Federal Debt-Collection Law — By Texting
October 4, 2013
How to Break the Federal Debt-Collection Law — By Texting
By: Steven Eichorn
It’s quite clear that the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission view existing federal consumer protection and communications statutes as fully applicable to new modes of communication such as texting. One excellent recent example is the FTC’s stipulated settlement, including a payment of $1 million, with a debt collection agency that had sent out text messages in order to collect debts. The FTC…
FTC Takes First Enforcement Action on ‘Internet of Things’
September 29, 2013
FTC Takes First Enforcement Action on ‘Internet of Things’
By: Ifrah Law
A company that markets video cameras that are designed to allow consumers to monitor their homes remotely has agreed to settle charges with the FTC that it failed to properly protect consumers’ privacy. This marks the FTC’s first enforcement action against a marketer of a product with connectivity to the Internet and other mobile devices, commonly referred to as the “Internet of Things.” The FTC’s…
Appeals Court Rules TCPA Does Not Violate First Amendment
September 16, 2013
Appeals Court Rules TCPA Does Not Violate First Amendment
By: Ifrah Law
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently ruled that the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) does not violate the First Amendment by requiring robocallers to identify themselves when making calls. Three months before the Maryland gubernatorial election in 2010, political consultant Julius Henson and his company Universal Elections, Inc., were hired to assist with efforts for the Republican candidate. On Election Day,…
