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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NLRB: Use of Social Media Can Be Protected Employee Activity

January 21, 2013

NLRB: Use of Social Media Can Be Protected Employee Activity

By: Ifrah Law

The rise of social media has led to the application of old law to new forms of communication. For instance, an effort by the National Labor Relations Board to educate workers on their right to engage in protected concerted activity has left some employers feeling that the NLRB went too far in supporting employees’ rights – particularly their right to post disparaging work-related comments on…

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Can ‘Disparate Impact’ Become the Basis for a Fair-Lending Claim?

December 31, 2012

Can ‘Disparate Impact’ Become the Basis for a Fair-Lending Claim?

By: Nicole Kardell

As part of its aggressive program to protect consumers in financial matters, the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau (CFPB) has announced that it is prepared to adopt a controversial “disparate impact” theory of liability against lenders. A case that the U.S. Supreme Court may accept would have a major impact on whether the CFPB is actually going to be able to do that. The “disparate impact”…

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FTC Seeking Information From 9 Data Brokers in Industry Probe

December 20, 2012

FTC Seeking Information From 9 Data Brokers in Industry Probe

By: Ifrah Law

On December 18, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission issued orders requiring nine data brokerage companies to provide the agency with information on how they collect data from consumers and use it. The nine companies asked to provide this data to the FTC include Acxiom, Datalogix, Intellius and Peekyou. Data brokers are companies that collect personal information about consumers from a variety of sources, both public…

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FCC Ruling Permits Confirmation Text Messages for ‘Opt-Out’ Customers

December 3, 2012

FCC Ruling Permits Confirmation Text Messages for ‘Opt-Out’ Customers

By: Michelle Cohen

The Federal Communications Commission recently ruled that companies may send a one-time text message confirming a consumer’s opt-out of texts without violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), and potentially facing large class action lawsuits. This pro-business ruling represents a victory for SoundBite, the company that sought a declaratory ruling from the FCC, as well as for other businesses that use mobile texting to communicate…

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CFPB, FTC Announce Crackdown on Deceptive Mortgage Advertising

November 20, 2012

CFPB, FTC Announce Crackdown on Deceptive Mortgage Advertising

By: Ifrah Law

On November 19, 2012, the Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced that they have launched a new coordinated effort to protect consumers, focusing on mortgage advertisements that they say are deceptive. The CFPB and the FTC worked together to review roughly 800 mortgage ads. These ads were produced by entities involved in different aspects of the mortgage process, including mortgage brokers…

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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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