Painting the town green
The biggest decision facing a DIYer in the paint store used to be whether Dusting of Snow or Wistful Beige was right for the dining room. But nowadays more businesses are making express claims about their products, including purported environmental benefits. Two of the nation’s leading paint companies — The Sherwin-Williams Company and PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc. — advertised that some of their paints were free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), claims the FTC says were false.
Do you do B2B?
Old Blue Eyes wasn’t in the tech biz, but before giving the ring-a-ding-ding to a B2B transaction that allows partners to share customer data through software one company licenses to the other, we’re guessing he would have agreed with some basic principles derived from the FTC’s proposed settlement with web analytics company Compete, Inc.
Be clear about what you collect
Twenty years ago nobody told their third grade classmates they wanted to go into web analytics when they grew up. But unlike cowboys and dinosaur wranglers, the analytics business is booming. Information about consumer behavior can offer companies helpful insights to boost web traffic and sales. But as a recent FTC settlement suggests, it’s wise to be transparent about your practices and take reasonable and appropriate measures to keep sensitive information secure.
Are you up to The Challenge?
If you or your company comes up with a technological solution to the scourge of illegal robocalls, you could earn national accolades — and, under the right circumstances, $50,000. Yes, you read that right.
A spirited closing letter
Bulk up while partying down. At least, that’s the message FTC staff was concerned consumers might take from ads for Devotion Vodka. According to the staff, the beverage was advertised to contain a significant amount of protein and to help build muscle mass — with the additional benefit of not causing hangovers.
