The Department of Justice’s FARA Unit released several new advisory opinions in recent weeks that interpret the Foreign Agents Registration Act (“FARA”) and its regulations. While the newly published opinions addressed a number of topics, the FARA Unit’s broad reading of the FARA triggers and the jurisdictional scope of the statute are common themes. One
“Money-Back Guarantee” Deprived Plaintiff of Standing to Bring a False Labeling Class Action
In recent years, sellers of consumer products have faced countless class action lawsuits alleging that their products are misleadingly advertised. Many motions to dismiss often turn on whether the product’s advertising is misleading to a reasonable consumer. But in Valiente v. Publix Super Markets, Inc., 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 91089 (S.D. Fla. May 24, 2023),
Biden Administration Weighs in on European Commission’s “Fair Share” Telecoms Consultation
On May 25, 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that, on behalf of the U.S. government, it filed responses to the European Commission’s public consultation on The Future of the Electronic Communications Sector and Its Infrastructure. The consultation explores the issue of how to best promote connectivity and ensure reliable broadband
Texas Passes Data Privacy and Security Act
On May 28, 2023, the Texas legislature passed the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, making it the sixth state to pass a comprehensive data privacy law this year. The Act shares many similarities with Virginia, although there are some distinctions. If signed into law, the Act would take effect on July 1, 2024.
China Releases Guidance on Filing Standard Contract for the Cross-Border Transfer of Personal Information
On May 30, 2023, one day before the Measures on the Standard Contract for the Cross-Border Transfer of Personal Information (“Measures”) were scheduled to take effect, the Cyberspace Administration of China (“CAC”) released a first edition of its guidance on how organizations should complete the filing procedure for Standard Contracts (“CAC Guidance”). (See our prior
FTC Announces a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to Expand Scope of the Health Breach Notification Rule
On May 18, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a notice of proposed rulemaking (the “proposed rule”) to “strengthen and modernize” the Health Breach Notification Rule (“HBNR”). The proposed rule builds on the FTC’s September 2021 “Statement of the Commission on Breaches by Health Apps and Other Connected Devices” (“Policy Statement”), which
FTC Solicits Diverse Perspectives during Workshop on Recyclable Claims
On May 23, 2023, the FTC hosted a public workshop on recyclable claims called “Talking Trash at the FTC: Recyclable Claims and the Green Guides.” The FTC convened the workshop in connection with its ongoing review of the Green Guides. The workshop included three panels of stakeholders discussing a variety of issues
EPA Clarifies Hazardous Waste Requirements Applicable to Lithium Ion Batteries
On May 24, 2023, EPA released a guidance memorandum addressing the hazardous waste status of lithium ion batteries under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”). EPA released the guidance to “both remove uncertainties for the states and industry about the regulatory status of these materials,” and to ensure that lithium ion batteries are properly
Maryland and Florida Update Their Telemarketing Laws
This blog post reports on two recent state telemarketing law developments that affect, among other things, marketing calls and text message transmissions.
Maryland Enacts New Law. Earlier this month, on May 3rd, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed into law the Stop the Spam Calls Act of 2023, which will take effect on January 1, 2024.
Belgium takes action to screen foreign direct investment (FDI) on its territory
Belgium introduced an FDI screening mechanism anticipated to enter into force on July 1, 2023, adding yet another jurisdiction in the EU which has adopted national measures to implement the EU’s FDI Regulation (EU) 2019/452. The new Belgian regime may place additional compliance obligations on companies, and, for some investments, it will entail modifications