FTC Finalizes Significantly Narrowed Junk Fees Rule – Initial Takeaways Applicable to the Auto Industry

On December 17, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued its final trade regulation rule, "Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees," commonly referred to as the "Junk Fees Rule." We review the significance of the Final Rule as it applies to the auto industry. More ›

Senate Hearing Panel Suggests a Bipartisan National Data Privacy Standard Could Include a Private Right of Action

A recent hearing at the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation explored the contours for a comprehensive and bipartisan federal data privacy law. Titled "Examining Legislative Proposals to Protect Consumer Data Privacy," the hearing featured an all-female panel of experts, including two former FTC leaders, and representatives from industry, academia, and consumer rights groups.

The panel discussion centered on current privacy legislation proposed by U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) which would provide consumers with greater security, transparency, choice and control over their personal information on- and off-line, and provide the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with additional resources and authority to regulate. The hearing and written testimony are available on the Senate Committee's website. More ›

Climate for Student Loan Oversight Gets Hotter with Recommendation of Top CFPB Student Loan Official for FTC Commissioner

While most mainstream media outlets are pulling a Jan Brady and reporting "Comey, Comey, Comey," the consumer financial services community should be chewing on a different name right now: "Chopra, Chopra, Chopra."

U.S. Senate Minority Leader, Chuck Schumer (D, NY), has recommended to the President, Rohit Chopra, former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Student Loan Ombudsman for an open Democratic seat on the Federal Trade Commission. As the former CFPB Ombudsman, Chopra held a high post in the Bureau, interacting directly and routinely with Director Richard Cordray, and helping to prioritize—and importantly, publicize—student loan policy and enforcement initiatives for the Bureau that have long outlasted Chopra's tenure. Chopra has been known to draw comparisons between the mortgage and student loan industries, calling for greater data transparency in the student loan industry. More ›