Legal Resources
Workshop on the Effects of Identity Theft on Older Americans
May 25, 2013National forum to explore how ID theft affects older Americans, including discussions of medical identity theft, tax- and government benefits-related ID theft, and the special issues facing consumers who live in assisted living or nursing homes
Report to Congress Under Section 319 of the FACT Act
February 11, 2013FTC study of the U.S. credit reporting industry
Mobile Privacy Disclosures: Building Trust Through Transparency
February 1, 2013FTC staff report recommending ways that key players in the mobile marketplace, including mobile platforms, developers, advertising networks, analytics companies, and trade associations, can better inform consumers about their data practices.
Mobile Apps for Kids: Disclosures Still Not Making the Grade
December 10, 2012A follow-up report by FTC staff outlining the results of a 2012 survey about disclosures in mobile apps for children; discussing the operation of in-app interactive features; and urging industry to take steps so that parents have easier access to the information they need to determine what data is being collected from their children, how it's being shared, and who will have access to it
The Big Picture: Comprehensive Online Data Collection
December 6, 2012An FTC workshop to explore the consumer privacy implications of comprehensive online data collection
Enforceable Codes of Conduct: Protecting Consumers Across Borders
November 29, 2012An FTC forum focusing on how government entities, businesses, consumer groups, and others are developing and administering voluntary procedures to protect consumers in cross-border commerce
Facing Facts: Best Practices For Common Uses of Facial Recognition Technologies
October 21, 2012A staff report on protecting consumer privacy as companies use facial recognition technologies to create new products and services
In Short: Advertising & Privacy Disclosures in a Digital World
May 29, 2012Following up on the FTC's 2000 "Dot Com Disclosures" publication, a national workshop to consider the need for new guidance concerning effecting advertising and privacy disclosures in online and mobile environments
Paper, Plastic . . . or Mobile
April 25, 2012FTC workshop to examine the use of mobile payments in the marketplace and how this emerging technology impacts consumers
Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change: Recommendations for Businesses and Policymakers
March 25, 2012FTC report calling for privacy by design, simplified choices for businesses and consumers, and greater transparency about information collection and use
Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book for 2011
February 28, 2012Report listing the top consumer complaints received by the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Database in 2011
Mobile Apps for Kids: Current Privacy Disclosures Are Disappointing
February 21, 2012FTC staff report featuring the results of a survey of mobile apps for children and concluding that app stores and app developers don’t provide parents with the information they need to determine what data is being collected from their children, how it’s being shared, or who will have access to it.
Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book January-December 2010
March 8, 2011Report analyzing consumer complaints received by the FTC in 2010, including a list of the Top 10 Consumer Complaints and complaint data by state and metropolitan area
FACT Act Interim Report - 2010
January 12, 2011Interim Report to Congress describing progress on a national study examining the accuracy of credit reports.
Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change: A Proposed Framework for Businesses and Policymakers
December 1, 2010A preliminary staff report proposing a framework to balance the privacy interests of consumers with innovation that relies on consumer information to develop beneficial new products and services, including the implementation of a “Do Not Track” mechanism.
Protecting Youths in an Online World
July 14, 2010Protecting Youths in an Online World: Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission, Presented by Jessica Rich, Deputy Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance.
Protecting Kids' Privacy Online: Reviewing the COPPA Rule
June 2, 2010Workshop about the costs and benefits of the FTC’s Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) Rule in light of rapidly evolving technology and changes in the way children use and access the Internet.
An Examination of Children’s Privacy: New Technology and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act
April 29, 2010Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission Entitled "An Examination of Children's Privacy: New Technology and The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act," Presented by Jessica Rich, Deputy Director, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Before the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance of the Committee On Commerce, Science, and Transportation, United States Senate.
NetCetera: OnGuardOnline.gov's Internet Safety Campaign for Children: A Report to Congress
March 30, 2010Report to Congress about efforts to get the word out about Internet safety for children by aggressively promoting a new booklet, Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online, to schools, police and sheriff’s departments, and PTAs nationwide.
Exploring Privacy: A Roundtable Series
March 17, 2010A series of roundtables exploring the privacy challenges posed by technologies and business practices that collect and use consumer data. Discussion included how best to protect consumer privacy while supporting beneficial uses of the information and technological innovation.