Christopher Olsen

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Nebraska and Vermont are the latest U.S. states to join the growing landscape of children’s online safety laws that have swelled in state chambers in recent years. On May 30, 2025, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen signed the Age-Appropriate Online Design Code Act (the Nebraska AADC). On June 12, 2025, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed the Vermont Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (the Vermont AADC). In doing so, Nebraska and Vermont join California and Maryland, which in 2022 and 2024, respectively, enacted age-appropriate design code laws of their own. Notably, the ongoing legal challenges1 to the California and Maryland AADCs do not appear to have dissuaded state legislators from enacting AADC-style and other children’s online safety laws. The Nebraska AADC takes effect January 1, 2026 (though the state Attorney General (AG) must wait until July 1, 2026, to seek civil penalties). The Vermont AADC takes effect January 1, 2027.Continue Reading Nebraska and Vermont Pass Age-Appropriate Design Codes

On February 4, 2025, the European Commission (EC) issued draft guidelines clarifying the AI practices that are prohibited under the European Union’s (EU) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act. While non-binding, the guidelines offer valuable clarifications and practical examples to help businesses navigate their obligations under the AI Act. The EC has approved the draft guidelines, but is still to formally adopt them, which is expected in the near term.Continue Reading EU Commission Issues Guidelines on Prohibited AI Practices Under EU AI Act

We are less than a month into the new Trump administration and are seeing an unprecedented wave of activity and major changes at federal agencies. These changes promise to bring significant disruption to the staff and negatively impact the typical activities of numerous agencies, including the nation’s consumer protection watchdog, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). As discussed below, we expect the impact on the FTC to be significant given the rapid and aggressive moves by the new administration. And we expect state Attorneys General (AGs) to step in to fill the gap.Continue Reading Consumer Protection Update: With Disruption at the Federal Level, State Attorneys General Are Likely to Loom Large

With Inauguration Day just around the corner, we are likely to see a host of new legislative and enforcement initiatives at the federal level. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will shift certain priorities under incoming Chairman Andrew Ferguson’s direction. And at the state level, legislatures and state attorneys general (state AGs) will continue to be active, enacting and enforcing a slate of new laws. As we ring in the new year, companies should be mindful of the new laws, regulations, and enforcement priorities that will likely impact them. Below are the top 10 U.S. privacy, cybersecurity, and consumer protection developments to watch out for in 2025:Continue Reading New Year, New Developments: 2025 U.S. Privacy, Cybersecurity, and Consumer Protection Predictions

On December 10, 2024, President-elect Trump named FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson as next Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), replacing Chair Lina Khan on January 20, 2025. As a Senate-approved sitting Commissioner, he will not need Senate approval to assume the role of Chairman. President-elect Trump also named Mark Meador as a Commissioner to fill the slot currently occupied by Chair Khan. Meador is a former staff member for Senator Mike Lee (R-UT). He has experience serving at the FTC, having spent five years at the beginning of his career working on antitrust cases at the agency.Continue Reading Shaping Consumer Protection: What to Expect from Incoming Chairman Ferguson’s FTC

On December 3, 2024, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced its highly anticipated and controversial proposed rule that primarily aims to bring data brokers within the scope of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Data brokers have long argued that they do not furnish “consumer reports,” and thus do not constitute “consumer reporting agencies” subject to the FCRA’s obligations. The CFPB catalogues the harms that have resulted from such a stance; namely, risks to national security, financial well-being, and personal safety when data brokers sell information to countries of concern, scammers, or stalkers. The proposed rule seeks to cover data brokers by clarifying key provisions within the definition of “consumer report.” The proposed rule also aims to shore up consumer protections under the FCRA by interpreting the definition of “consumer reporting agency” more broadly and permissible purposes for furnishing consumer reports more narrowly, such as consumer consent and legitimate business needs. The CFPB seeks public comment on the proposed rule, which must be received on or before March 3, 2025.Continue Reading CFPB Issues Proposed Rule to Cover Data Brokers Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act