Alphabet
The Latest
Privacy-Schmivacy
Privacy protection? Not so much.
Internet Giants Team Up to Fight Deceptive Web Ads
Google, Facebook, Twitter, and AOL launch TrustInAds.org.
Google Removing Deceptive Abortion-Services Ads
Investigation finds web searches led to anti-abortion centers.
Are You Getting Scroogled?
Microsoft jumps on anti-Google bandwagon.
Regulators Go after Fake Reviews
After a yearlong investigation, New York regulators are announcing a crackdown on misleading online reviews.
Google Pays AdBlock Plus to Have Ads Whitelisted
Is the point of AdBlock Plus to block annoying ads, or to curate them?
Nest Programmable Thermostats
Nest Labs Inc. claimed in advertisements for its Nest Programmable Thermostat that “89% of other programmable thermostats are not programmed because they are so complicated that most consumers do not…
Penalties that Pack a Pinch
Are FTC settlements just a cost of doing business?
Class-Action Tracker
Google’s “Location History” Feature
Allegations: Misrepresenting that Google does not track consumers’ movements or store a record of their locations when the “Location History” feature on mobile devices is disabled
YouTube Subscriptions
Allegations: Failing to adequately disclose the terms of subscriptions
Google’s Designed for Families Program
Allegations: Deceptively marketing apps in its Designed for Families program as safe and appropriate for children
FitBit Fitness Trackers
Allegations: Misleadingly marketing that fitness trackers are capable of measuring blood oxygen levels when they do not provide accurate measures
Google Pixel 4a, 5, and 5a Cellphones
Allegations: Advertising phones as capable of accessing 5G broadband networks when they were no longer able to access 5G networks after a software update
GoodRx
Allegations: Falsely representing that the company safeguards consumers’ personal data when such information was disclosed to third parties
YouTube Music and YouTube Premium
Allegations: Failing to adequately disclose the terms of subscriptions and making it difficult to cancel
DoubleU Games Gambling Games
Allegations: Promoting illegal virtual gambling games
Grande Games Gambling Games
Allegations: Promoting illegal virtual gambling games
Zynga’s Gambling Games
Allegations: Promoting illegal virtual gambling games
Gambling Games in the Google Play Store
Allegations: Promoting illegal virtual gambling games
Gambling Games on Google
Allegations: Promoting illegal virtual gambling games
Disclosures in Google Play
Allegations: Failing to adequately disclose that certain games use loot boxes, which are a form of gambling that violates state anti-gambling laws
Google Stadia
Allegations: Falsely advertising Stadia as more powerful than other gaming consoles and as displaying all video games in 4k resolution
Google Home Devices
Google’s Marketing of Pine-Sol
Fitbit Charge 2
FitBit’s PurePulse Tracker
Fitbit’s “Sleep-Tracking” Function
Nest “Smart” Thermostat
Fitbit’s Charge HR and Surge Wristbands
Nest Learning Thermostats
