Report recommends ways to expand consumers’ repair options, including more enforcement, and use of voluntary agreements between manufacturers and independent repairers. In a new report to Congress, the Federal Trade Commission identifies numerous types of repair restrictions across industries such as mobile phones and automobiles. Concerns raised in the report and by proponents of an […]
Auto Care Association Calls on Federal Trade Commission to Ensure Competitive Repair Industry
On July 16, Aaron Lowe, senior vice president, regulatory and government affairs, Auto Care Association, testified before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) during a public workshop on policies and research related to manufacturers limiting third-party repairs. During the workshop, which was entitled “Nixing the Fix: A Workshop on Repair Restrictions,” Lowe discussed the independent auto […]
Auto Dealer Software Provider Settles Federal Trade Commission Data Security Allegations
An Iowa company that sells software and data services to auto dealers has agreed to take steps to better protect the data it collects, to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that the firm’s poor data security practices led to a breach that exposed the personal information of millions of consumers. In a complaint, the FTC […]
FTC Holds Forum on Small Business Financing
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) reported that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a forum that found due to time restrictions, small businesses may not always choose the best financing tools for their needs. Instead, small businesses are focused more on ensuring that their business is operating efficiently, rather than spending time to learn the […]
FTC to Hold July Workshop on Product Repair Restrictions
Auto manufacturer repair restrictions part of Federal Trade Commission meeting. Staff of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will host a workshop on July 16, to examine ways in which manufacturers may limit third-party repairs. Staff confirmed to CollisionWeek that auto manufacturer repair restrictions will be one of the issues examined by the FTC. The FTC […]
Center for Auto Safety and Consumer Watchdog Request FTC Investigation into Tesla Autopilot
The Center for Auto Safety and Consumer Watchdog today called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate what they say are dangerously misleading and deceptive advertising and marketing practices and representations made by Tesla Motors, Inc. regarding the safety and capabilities of its Autopilot feature. At least two people are dead and one is injured […]
FTC Campaign to Help Small Businesses Strengthen Cyber Defenses
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is launching a national education campaign to help small businesses strengthen their cyber defenses and protect sensitive data that they store. The FTC will develop and distribute reader-friendly educational materials with information about cybersecurity that small businesses need. The effort grew out of the Small Business & Cybersecurity Roundtables […]
FTC Challenges Merger of Titanium Dioxide Companies
Agency alleges that combining Tronox Limited and Cristal would reduce competition for white pigment used in paint and other products. The Federal Trade Commission issued an administrative complaint challenging the merger of two top suppliers of chloride process titanium dioxide (TiO2), a white pigment used in a wide variety of products including paint, industrial coatings, […]
New FTC Website Helps Small Businesses Avoid Scams and Cyber Attacks
Agency provides information on how small businesses can protect themselves. With the weekend news headlines of a massive ransomware cyber-attack affecting businesses across the world, concerns over computer security issues has never been higher. Recently, at the direction of Acting Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen, the Federal Trade Commission has launched a new website with articles, videos, and […]
FTC Settles with GM and Two Dealer Groups over Failure to Disclose Unrepaired Safety Recalls
General Motors (GM), Jim Koons Management and Lithia Motors Inc. have agreed to settle separate Federal Trade Commission administrative complaint allegations that each touted how rigorously they inspect their cars, yet failed to disclose that some of the used cars they were selling were subject to unrepaired safety recalls. Jim Koons Management, which has 15 […]