Social Links: Publishers claim ad blockers violate FTC rules; Twitter bags its “buy button”; has the IoT gone too far?
- The Newspaper Association of America has filed a first-of-its-kind complaint with the FTC over certain ad blocking technologies. Is it “Internet” or “internet”? The Associated Press is about to change the capitalization rule. Lots of people criticized Instagram’s new logo, but, according to a... ›
Show Me the Money: Are Social Media Celebrities and Other Online Content Creators Really Raking in the Cash?
Social media has allowed aspiring authors, musicians, filmmakers and other artists to publish their works and develop a fan base without having to wait to be discovered by a publishing house, record label or talent agency. And that seems to have made at least... ›- - FTC, Compliance
Innovative Social Media Marketing Cannot Overlook Old-Fashioned Compliance
By: Julie O'Neill
Social media is all about innovation, so it is no surprise that social media marketers are always looking for innovative ways—such as courting social media “influencers” and using native advertising—to promote products and services to customers and potential customers. But, as the retailer Lord... › - - European Union, FTC, Protected Speech, Privacy, Employment Law, Ethics, Litigation, Online Endorsements
Social Links—Facebook-spying litigators; employees’ social media posts; Europe’s Right To Be Forgotten
By: Aaron P. Rubin
Defense lawyers who checked out the Facebook page of a plaintiff suing their client can be prosecuted for attorney misconduct, New Jersey judge rules. Norwegian band changes its name to avoid “ social media censorship .” Can public agencies control their employees’ social media... › Big Data, Big Challenges: FTC Report Warns of Potential Discriminatory Effects of Big Data
By: Mary Race and Julie O'Neill
In a new report , the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) declines to call for new laws but makes clear that it will continue to use its existing tools it to aggressively police unfair, deceptive—or otherwise illegal—uses of big data. Businesses that conduct big data analytics,... ›An FTC Warning on Native Advertising
By: Julie O'Neill
“Native advertising”—ads that may blur the distinction between advertising and editorial, video or other content—has been a hot topic in recent years for both marketers and regulators. It is popular with marketers because it is apparently an effective advertising model. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC),... ›Influencer Marketing: Tips for a Successful (and Legal) Advertising Campaign
By: Julie O'Neill
In an age of explosive growth for social media and declining TV viewership numbers , companies are partnering with so-called “influencers” to help the companies grow their brands. Popular users of Instagram, Vine, YouTube and other social media sites have gained celebrity status ,... ›Cross-Device Tracking Attracts Interest From Regulators, Prompts Guidance From Industry Group
By: Julie O'Neill
Cross-device tracking is a hot new issue for regulators. Companies engaged in the practice should take note of two recent developments. On November 16, 2015, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a workshop on the issue and, perhaps not coincidentally, on the same day... ›FTC Continues Enforcing Ad Disclosure Obligations in New Media and Issues a Warning to Advertisers
By: Julie O'Neill
In December 2014, we noted that the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) settlement with advertising firm Deutsch LA, Inc. was a clear signal to companies that advertise through social media that they need to comply with the disclosure requirements of Section 5 of the FTC... ›The FTC Weighs in on In-Store Tracking. Or Does It?
By: Julie O'Neill
In law school, everybody learns the adage that hard cases make bad law. When it comes to the Federal Trade Commission, a better aphorism might be, “easy cases make new law.” The FTC’s recent settlement with Nomi Technologies Inc. is, as the FTC’s press... ›