Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

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In this episode of Payments Pros, host Keith Barnett examines a recent FTC enforcement action involving alleged violations of the FTC Act and ROSCA. Keith discusses the FTC’s continued focus on negative option features, automatic renewals, subscription disclosures, free trial conversions, and cancellation practices, and explains why these issues remain important for companies operating in the payments ecosystem. He walks through the FTC’s allegations regarding insufficient disclosure of key subscription terms, including automatic renewal provisions and early cancellation fees, as well as concerns about burdensome cancellation processes for consumers. Keith also highlights how the action reflects a broader enforcement trend, with the FTC remaining active in the payments space despite increased attention on changes at the CFPB. The episode closes with practical takeaways for businesses, including the importance of clear disclosures, simple cancellation mechanisms, and careful internal communications regarding subscription and billing practices.

On July 1, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published a proposed policy statement addressing whether AI companies that steer their systems’ outputs toward undisclosed ideological objectives, rather than toward the objectives that consumers request or reasonably expect, may be engaging in deceptive acts or practices in violation of § 5 of the FTC Act. The public comment period closes July 31, 2026.

In this episode of Moving the Metal: The Auto Finance Podcast, hosts Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso break down two significant state-level regulatory responses to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) March 2026 wave of 97 warning letters targeting auto dealers — examining how Louisiana’s Motor Vehicle Commission is formally updating its advertising regulations to align with FTC guidance on total price transparency, and how the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office issued a sweeping advisory putting dealers on notice that hidden documentation fees violate state law, with potential double exposure under both motor vehicle dealer regulations and the Massachusetts UDAP statute.

On May 13, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed and simultaneously settled a lawsuit against online digital photo and video platform Shutterstock, Inc. in the Southern District of New York, alleging that the company used deceptive “negative option” subscription practices in violation of § 5 of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act (ROSCA). According to the complaint, Shutterstock misled consumers about its “annual, paid monthly” (APM) plans and on‑demand “packs,” failed to clearly disclose automatic renewals and hefty early‑termination fees, converted “free trials” into paid annual plans without adequate notice, and made it difficult and time‑consuming for customers to cancel.

In this episode of Moving the Metal: The Auto Finance Podcast, hosts Brooke Conkle and Chris Capurso break down a major FTC–Maryland AG settlement with multiple auto dealerships over alleged deceptive pricing, unauthorized add-ons, and misleading financing practices. Brooke and Chris walk through the redress and penalty structure and explain how “total price,” clear disclosure, and express informed consent are being enforced post-CARS Rule. They also discuss what dealers and auto finance companies should do now to strengthen compliance, documentation, and oversight of dealer practices.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken a highly visible step into the national debate over “debanking” by sending warning letters to several large payment networks and financial services providers, reminding them that deplatforming or denying customers access to financial products or services due to political or religious beliefs could violate their existing obligations under Section 5 of the FTC Act. The FTC’s letters signal a sharpened enforcement focus on how financial services firms manage account closures, suspensions, and access to services, particularly when political or religious views are implicated.

On March 20, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson issued a memorandum directing the creation of an internal Healthcare Task Force. The directive underscores that healthcare remains a top enforcement and policy priority for the FTC, reflecting the Administration’s focus on a “more competitive, innovative, affordable, and higher quality healthcare system.”

On March 13, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it is sending warning letters to 97 auto dealership groups across the country, signaling a renewed focus on deceptive pricing practices in the retail auto sector. The letters stress that advertised prices must reflect the total price consumers will be required to pay, including all mandatory, dealer-imposed fees other than government charges like taxes. The agency frames this effort as part of a broader initiative to promote price transparency across sectors such as rental housing, ticketing and hotels, grocery delivery, and now auto sales and leasing.

This article was cited in the April 1, 2026 Multifamily Dive article, “FTC Seeks Public Input on Junk Fee Rule for Rental Housing.”

The Federal Trade Commission has announced an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to explore a new rule governing unfair or deceptive rental housing fee practices. The initiative focuses on the widening gap between advertised rent and the total amounts renters actually pay once mandatory fees and charges are added. Once the ANPRM has been published in the Federal Register, comments will be accepted for 30 days. 

On March 11, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a new Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) to revisit its Rule Concerning the Use of Prenotification Negative Option Plans. The move follows the Eighth Circuit’s 2025 decision vacating the FTC’s 2024 amendments (discussed here), which would have imposed uniform requirements on subscriptions, auto‑renewals, and trial‑to‑pay offers across all marketing channels. The ANPRM makes clear that while the FTC acknowledges that so-called negative options are widely offered and can provide benefits to both sellers and consumers, the FTC intends to address recurring billing and cancellation frictions that continue to generate a high volume of consumer complaints.