Manatt Consumer Protection and Advertising Leader Christine Reilly was quoted in The National Law Journal on Publishers Clearing House’s (PCH) recent settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which alleged that the company used deceptive marketing tactics and “dark patterns” that led consumers to make unwanted and misinformed purchases.
In the article, Reilly commented on the uniqueness of the case, stating that “while the FTC’s antitrust agenda often dominates the headlines, the PCH stipulated order is yet another example of how the commission is equally bullish on consumer protection issues.” She also noted that, significantly, this was the second “dark pattern” lawsuit brought by the FTC in the same week, reinforcing the Commission’s “holistic approach to consumer advertising” and reflecting its recent reliance on rule violations to secure much needed funds. “The PCH case signals a trend that the FTC will continue to get creative in its quest to obtain monetary relief,” Reilly concluded.
Read the full article from The National Law Journal here.