Legal Resources
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.
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 22, 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 30, 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 26, 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 26, 2012FTC report calling for privacy by design, simplified choices for businesses and consumers, and greater transparency about information collection and use
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.
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.
Best Practices for Business: Protecting Personal Information and Fighting Fraud with the Red Flags Rule
April 29, 2009Series of workshops that focused on how businesses can better secure personal information, implement best practices for developing an appropriate data security program, and respond to data breaches and other privacy and security threats.
Beyond Voice: Mapping the Mobile Marketplace Report
April 1, 2009Report from May 2008 town hall meeting about issues arising in the mobile commerce marketplace.
Digital Rights Management
March 25, 2009Conference on the use of digital rights management—technologies typically used by hardware manufacturers, publishers, and copyright holders to attempt to control how consumers access and use media and entertainment content—and how to improve disclosure about DRM limitations.
Securing Personal Data in the Global Economy
March 16, 2009Conference hosted by the FTC in conjunction with APEC and OECD addressing how companies can manage personal data-security issues in a global information environment where data can be stored and accessed from multiple jurisdictions.
Self-Regulatory Principles for Online Behavioral Advertising
February 12, 2009This report from FTC staff describes the agency’s ongoing examination of online behavioral advertising and sets forth revisions to proposed self-regulatory principles.
Beyond Voice: Mapping the Mobile Marketplace
May 6, 2008Town Hall exploring the evolving mobile commerce (Mcommerce) marketplace and its implications for consumer protection policy. This meeting built on a 2006 hearing which examined technological and business developments expected to shape consumers' experiences over the next ten years.
Protecting Consumers In The Next Tech-ade Report
March 28, 2008Staff report highlighting the challenges of consumer protection in the face of emerging and evolving technologies in the next ten years.
Ehavioral Advertising: Tracking, Targeting, and Technology
November 1, 2007Town Hall on consumer protection issues raised by the practice of tracking consumers' activities online to target advertising. This meeting built on a 2006 hearing which examined technological and business developments expected to shape consumers' experiences over the next ten years.
Protecting Consumers in the Next Tech-ade
November 6, 2006Hearings exploring how convergence and globalization of commerce impact consumer protection, examining changes that have occurred in marketing and technology over the past decade, and discussing challenges and opportunities for consumers, businesses, and governmental bodies.
Monitoring Software on Your PC: Spyware, Adware and Other Software
April 19, 2004Workshop exploring the issues associated with software that, without the consumer’s knowledge, aids in gathering information about a person or organization or asserts control over a computer.
Costs and Benefits Related To the Collection and Use of Consumer Information
June 18, 2003Workshop examining the costs and benefits to consumers and businesses of the collection and use of consumer information.