Breakup threat. Social networking giant sued by federal regulator and US states, and could be forced to sell WhatsApp, Instagram
News FTC
US Regulator Demands New Hearing On Qualcomm Decision
US Federal Trade Commission asks appeals court to reconsider decision that struck down landmark Qualcomm antitrust injunction
Carmakers Urge FTC Intervention After Defeat In Qualcomm Appeal
Tesla, Ford, Honda, HP, and Intel ask the US tech regulator to carry on its case against Qualcomm after US court quashes Qualcomm licencing injunction
Facebook Voices Support For Data Portability Law
Facebook says it would support dedicated data portability legislation in the US as an antitrust measure, ahead of key regulatory meeting next month
Twitter Admits Possible $250m FTC Fine Over Targeted Ads
Filing reveals Twitter is facing a possible fine of up to $250 million for using phone numbers and email address to push targetted ads
California ‘Examines Amazon Business Practices’ In Latest Probe
The US state investigation adds to Amazon’s regulatory woes, which include investigations by the European Commission and three US federal agencies
DoJ To Investigate Google’s Fitbit Acquisition – Report
What you going to do with that data? US Justice Depart will include acquisition probe into its existing Google investigation
Google To Pay Up To £165m Fine For YouTube Children’s Privacy Violations
Google’s settlement with the FTC to pay $150m to $200m fine was criticised as too low and as ‘effectively rewarding’ the company
Qualcomm Wins Partial Stay On Enforcement Of Antitrust Ruling
Sweeping decision would have forced Qualcomm to renegotiate deals with customers and licence essential patents to rivals
Facebook Breakup Would Be Difficult If Services Are Integrated – FTC
Plans to integrate WhatsApp and Instrgram brands could make it more difficult to breakup Facebook, FTC boss admits
FTC Boss Ready To Breakup Big Tech Firms
US FTC boss admits he is prepared to break up big name tech firms amid anti-competitive investigation
Facebook To Pay Record $5bn Fine For FTC Settlement
“But we only budgeted $3bn!” Zuckerberg and co going to have dig into the kitty to pay mammoth penalty
Facebook Fined $5bn Over Cambridge Analytica Scandal
But FTC refrains from imposing strict limits on Facebook’s data practices, adding to criticism that the penalty is a slap on the wrist
US Judge Rules Qualcomm Violated Antitrust Law
US judge rules Qualcomm’s policies strangled competition for years, but an appeal against the ruling is planned
Facebook US Settlement Could Impose 20 Years Of Oversight
A deal with the FTC reportedly in the works could extend oversight of Facebook’s data practices, but critics say it’s too little, too late
Facebook Co-founder Chris Hughes Urges Firm Breakup
But Facebook rejects the call from one of its co-founders to split Facebook up into three separate firms
Facebook Privacy Settlement To Include Federal Oversight – Report
Facebook reportedly faces having a federal privacy official on its board, as part of settlement deal with FTC
Facebook Sets Aside $3 billion For FTC Privacy Fine
Strong results from social networking giant as it prepares to pay billions for privacy breaches
Groups Hit YouTube With Complaint Over Data Gathering On Kids
Groups allege that YouTube violates child protection laws by collection personal data of minors
Leading Internet Figures Demand Cancellation Of ‘Net Neutrality’ Vote
Vint Cerf, Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Steve Wozniak are amongst those calling for this week’s vote to be called off amidst a ‘lack of transparency’
D-Link Charged By US For Router Security Failures
Router maker allegedly failed to take reasonable security steps to protect data against hackers
Ashley Madison Parent Company Slapped With £1.3m Fine Over Data Breach
The adultery site’s parent company is to pay the FTC $1.6m for deceptive marketing practices and the lack of basic security measures
FTC Commissioner Looking For Hackers’ Help With Consumer Privacy
FTC Commissioner Terrell McSweeny details how the government agency is working to improve privacy and limit deceptive practices online—and makes a plea to hackers
Mobile Security Update Probe Launched By US Authorities
Patchy mobile patching process? FCC and FTC begin smartphone security update investigation
Oracle Settles Java Security Deception Charges With FTC
Oracle’s Java updater left older, vulnerable versions of the software on users’ systems, the FTC said
Google Secretly Tracks School Children’s Web History, Claims Digital Rights Group
Electronic Frontier Foundation files complaint against Google after group claims it has uncovered evidence the search giant collects student personal data
ICANN .Sucks Up To Internet Regulators In ‘Predatory’ Domain Name Case
Cheeky domain name being “illicitly” flogged to companies that are scared their trademark will get the .SUCKS gTLD treatment
Apple Watch Under Investigation By US Security Authorities
FTC seeks assurances regarding health data security and privacy from apps working with the Apple Watch
Amazon Vows To Fight FTC Over In-App Purchases
The FTC has been promised a legal fight after Amazon threatened to bring in the lawyers over in-app purchases
Snapchat Settles FCC Charges For ‘Deceiving Users’
Snapchat reprimanded by US regulator and faces 20 years of scrutiny for deceiving its users