Consumer Protection

NJ Board Permanently Revokes Pedro Castillo Massage Therapy License for Sexual Misconduct

The New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy has permanently revoked the license of Pedro "Chris" Castillo following allegations of sexual misconduct against female clients at two workplaces in Wayne and East Rutherford, New Jersey. Under a Consent Order, Castillo must permanently surrender his license with no possibility to reapply and is barred from all client contact and entering the premises of his former workplaces during business hours. Multiple clients, including a then-nineteen-year-old, alleged inappropriate exposure, unwanted sexual touching, and in one case solicitation of sexual contact.

AG Davenport Warns of Meta Investment Scams

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the New Jersey Bureau of Securities issued a consumer alert warning New Jersey residents about investment scams proliferating on Meta platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The scams include pump-and-dump stock and cryptocurrency schemes, confidence fraud, and deepfake-enabled deceptions targeting investors. Victims are directed to report at NJSecurities.gov or 1-866-I-INVEST, and residents are cautioned against asset recovery specialists who may be scammers themselves.

UNFPA Executive Director Addresses CPD 59 on Population, Technology

UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita delivered her opening statement at the fifty-ninth session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD 59), held under the theme 'Population, Technology and Research in the Context of Sustainable Development'. The address outlined three strategic foundations—data as power, technology fostering inclusion and trust, and financing the future—while reaffirming UNFPA's commitment to ensuring technology and research serve people fairly, ethically, and inclusively. The speech highlighted UNFPA's global programmes across India, Rwanda, Colombia, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Nepal, South Africa, the Pacific Islands, and Nigeria leveraging AI, geospatial tools, and digital health platforms.

UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita 59th CPD Closing Statement

UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita delivered closing remarks at the 59th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development, reflecting on discussions around technological transformation, demographic shifts, climate change, and their intersection with sexual and reproductive health and rights. The statement highlights achievements including US$26 million in commodity donations, ongoing census preparations across multiple nations, and AI-powered maternal health innovations, while acknowledging that consensus on an intergovernmental outcome was not reached this session.

UK Find a Tender Service - Public Procurement Notices Portal

The UK Find a Tender Service portal provides a central hub for public procurement notices, replacing Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) for UK procurements from 31 December 2020. The page lists the current legislative framework including the Procurement Act 2023 and associated commencement regulations, with different legislation applying to procurements commenced before and from 24 February 2025. The service publishes above-threshold notices covering the full contract lifecycle from pipeline to termination, with below-threshold information available through territory-specific portals including Contracts Finder, Public Contracts Scotland, Sell2Wales, and eSourcing NI.

ACNC Publishes 300 Competition Decisions in Open Data on data.gouv.nc

The Autorite de la concurrence de la Nouvelle-Caledonie (ACNC), in cooperation with the metropolitan Autorite de la concurrence, has published approximately 300 competition decisions and opinions in open data format on the data.gouv.nc platform. This initiative, representing a significant advance in public transparency and accessibility, complements the systematic publication of decisions on the ACNC website. The structured data is intended to help enterprises, legal practitioners, researchers, and students better understand competition law in New Caledonia and strengthen predictability of economic practices.

France Raises Merger Control Thresholds Under Economic Simplification Bill

The French National Assembly and Senate adopted the Economic Simplification Bill on April 14-15, 2026, with Article 8 raising merger control thresholds. General worldwide turnover threshold rises from €150M to €250M; France-based turnover threshold from €50M to €80M. Retail-sector specific thresholds also increase: worldwide from €75M to €100M and France from €15M to €20M. The reform, contingent on Constitutional Council validation and presidential promulgation, will take effect on the first day of the fourth month after publication, exempting an estimated 20-30% of currently notified operations.

France Fines Organic Retailers €12.67M for Market Allocation

The French Competition Authority (ADLC) imposed fines totaling €12.67 million on Synadis Bio (€10M), Greenweez/Carrefour SA (€1.85M), ITM Entreprises/Les Mousquetaires (€740,000), and Les Comptoirs de la Bio (€80,000) for a seven-year market allocation conspiracy. The entities coordinated to prevent organic food brands from being sold in both specialized (GSS) and generalist (GSA) distribution channels, deliberately avoiding price comparability between circuits to maintain higher prices in specialized stores. This is the second application of Article L. 464-2 of the Commercial Code allowing fines based on total worldwide revenue of all union members.

Illinois Metro Employment Data, February 2026

Illinois statewide total nonfarm employment decreased by 12,500 jobs year-over-year in February 2026, with 8 of 12 metro areas posting job losses. The unemployment rate increased over the year in 100 of 102 counties. The largest job decreases were in Springfield MSA (-2,600 jobs, -2.4%) and Rockford MSA (-2,500 jobs, -1.7%), while Peoria MSA (+1,600 jobs, +1.0%) and Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1,100 jobs, +0.9%) had the largest gains. The statewide unemployment rate rose to 5.5% from 5.0% year-over-year.

Korea KFTC Bill Expands Commissioners From 9 to 11

Korea's National Assembly passed an amendment to the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act on April 23, 2026, expanding the Korea Fair Trade Commission from 9 to 11 members. The change adds one standing and one non-standing commissioner. KFTC annual case volume has nearly doubled from roughly 1,300 cases in the 1990s to about 2,400 cases in recent years, while commissioner numbers remained unchanged since 1997.

Consumer Cooperative Act Amendment Transfers Jurisdiction to SME Ministry

The Consumer Cooperative Act amendment bill passed the National Assembly plenary session on April 23, 2026, transferring supervisory jurisdiction over consumer cooperatives from the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (중기부). The amendment takes effect six months after promulgation following Cabinet Council approval. Consumer cooperatives, which have been provisionally recognized as SMEs since 2018 under the Basic SME Act, will now have a clearer legal basis for receiving enterprise support benefits including policy financing and domestic and international market access assistance.

KFTC Committee News Update, 24th Apr

The Korea Fair Trade Commission published a committee news update on April 24, 2026, posted by the Operations Support Division (운영지원과). The update, registered on April 23, 2026, received 88 views and includes an attached PDF document available for download. No specific regulatory actions or announcements are detailed in the visible page content.

Commission Unconditionally Approves RTL's Acquisition of Sky DACH

The European Commission has unconditionally approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition by RTL Deutschland GmbH of Sky German Holdings GmbH (Sky DACH). The Commission investigated impacts on markets for audiovisual content supply and acquisition, wholesale TV channels, audiovisual retail services, and advertising space across German-speaking EEA areas (Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, South Tyrol). The Commission found no evidence that the transaction would significantly reduce competition, concluding that RTL and Sky DACH are not close competitors, sufficient alternatives remain, and global streaming platforms provide increasing competitive pressure. The transaction was notified on 27 February 2026 and cleared without conditions or remedies.

Florida Alcoholic Beverage Public Notices by County

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco publishes county-level public notice listings for alcoholic beverage license applications and related proceedings. Counties with updated notices include Bay, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, Duval, Flagler, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Leon, Levy, Manatee, Marion, Miami-Dade, and Okaloosa. Each listing links to a PDF document containing the specific notice details. Most Florida counties report no updated notices during this publication cycle.

DOJ Approves DOE Voluntary DPA Plans of Action

The DOJ Antitrust Division published notice that Acting Assistant Attorney General found DOE's proposed Plans of Action under section 708 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 may become effective. The finding concludes that the national defense purposes may not reasonably be achieved through plans with less anticompetitive effects or without any plans of action. This clears the way for DOE to implement voluntary agreements with private industry participants, who gain antitrust law defenses when acting within the scope of approved plans of action.

DOJ Antitrust Division Finds DOE Voluntary Agreement May Proceed Under DPA

The Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division has completed the required review under section 708 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 for the Department of Energy's proposed revised Implementing Voluntary Agreements Under the Defense Production Act. The finding concludes that the purposes of section 708(c)(1) of the DPA may not reasonably be achieved through a voluntary agreement having less anticompetitive effects or without any voluntary agreement. Following publication of this notice, the proposed revised Voluntary Agreement may become effective. Participants acting within the scope of a valid voluntary agreement and plan of action gain an antitrust law defense for their coordinated activities.

ACM Roadmap for Dutch Collective Heat Act, January 2027

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has published a roadmap outlining milestones for implementation of the Dutch Collective Heat Act (Wet collectieve warmte, Wcw), which will replace the Dutch Heat Act (Warmtewet) effective January 1, 2027. The new law introduces cost-based tariff regulation in three phases: Phase 1 corrects natural-gas price linkages when the Act takes effect; Phase 2 sets cost-based tariffs for large systems (>1,500 users) by 2030; Phase 3 sets allowed-revenue tariffs for large systems from 2034. ACM will conduct stakeholder consultations on regulatory accounting rules in spring 2026 and on the standardized asset value method in mid-2026.

Chatbot Guidelines Stakeholder Input Requested, Deadline May 17

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) and the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP) are jointly calling on stakeholders to submit input by May 17, 2026, on guidelines for responsible chatbot use in customer service and public communication. The authorities have received reports of recurring issues including transparency concerns, reliability, accessibility, and data handling. The five focus areas are: clear explanations to users, correct and reliable answers, the role of human contact, accessibility for everyone, and secure data handling. Draft guidelines will be published in summer 2026 for consultation, with final guidelines expected in fall 2026.

Somia Azahaf Appointed Director of ACM Consumer Department

ACM has announced the appointment of Somia Azahaf as Director of its Consumer Department, effective 1 August 2026. Azahaf brings over a decade of regulatory and compliance experience from the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets, Ministry of Finance, and most recently as CCO at pension fund APG Groep NV. She succeeds in the role following a competitive selection process conducted by the Dutch Senior Civil Service (DGABD).

EU Competition Case Database Lists 3,000 Merger Cases by Economic Activity

The European Commission DG COMP competition case database displays 3,000 merger cases filtered by economic activity sectors including water supply (NACE E.36), food processing, beverages, media, and advertising. The search results page lists individual merger cases with decision dates, case numbers, notifying parties, and economic activity classifications under NACE Rev. 2 and NACE Rev. 2.1. Cases shown include BRF/HPDC/ONE FOODS (M.12233, decision 03.02.2026), BRASSERIE NATIONALE/BOISSONS HEINTZ (M.11485, decision 19.12.2025), and TELIA COMPANY/BONNIER BROADCASTING HOLDING (M.9064, decision 16.12.2025), among thousands of others. The database provides links to individual case files, open datasets, and subscribe-for-updates functionality.

CRD Launches Updated Discriminatory Ad Reporting Portal

The California Civil Rights Department has relaunched its discriminatory advertising reporting portal with new examples of potential violations, updated definitions of legal protections, and a streamlined interface. The portal, originally launched in 2021, has supported over 2,500 notices issued to housing providers and employers to address potential discriminatory ads in housing and employment. CRD also highlighted recent factsheets covering reasonable accommodations for disabilities, worker protections for survivors of violence, and fair chance hiring for workers with past arrests or convictions.

Vandemoortele/Délifrance Deal Referred to Phase 2 Investigation

The CMA has referred Vandemoortele's proposed acquisition of Délifrance to a Phase 2 in-depth investigation after Vandemoortele failed to formally submit an approved buyer for proposed divestitures within the allotted period. At Phase 1, the CMA found the merger could make Vandemoortele the largest supplier of frozen viennoiserie products in the UK by a considerable margin, potentially leading to higher prices or lower quality for customers. The businesses had proposed selling Délifrance's UK laminated dough business along with 2 production facilities in France (Avignon and Béthune), but the resolution period expired without a formal buyer proposal. An independent panel of experts will now investigate the competition concerns in detail.

CMA Speech on Competition and Scaling at Tech.eu Summit

At Tech.eu Summit London 2026, CMA Chief Strategy & External Affairs Officer Jessica Lennard delivered a speech outlining the CMA's evolved approach to competition policy, positioning the authority as both an enforcer of effective competition and an 'enabler of competition.' The CMA's new framing deploys its economics, policy and markets expertise to advise government and advocate for pro-competition interventions that support growth, innovation and investment in strategically important sectors. The speech cited CMA Microeconomics Unit research on how competition operates differently at each stage of a firm's lifecycle, reinforcing the link between competition policy and the UK's industrial strategy ambitions.

Shrinkflation Alert: Despar Calamari 25% Less Content, Same Price

VKI Austria documents a shrinkflation case involving frozen Despar Calamari sold at Spar stores in Austria. The product's fill quantity was reduced from 400 grams to 300 grams — a 25% reduction — while the packaging design remained nearly identical. The price was maintained at €7.99 for the smaller package, representing a hidden price increase of approximately 33% per unit weight. The article suggests that Spar's subsequent price reduction to €5.99 may relate to Austria's new Anti-Mogelpackungsgesetz (anti-deceptive packaging law) aimed at curbing shrinkflation practices.

Live Nation Fined PLN 15.3M for Unfair Ticket Terms

The President of UOKiK has imposed a fine of PLN 15.3 million on Live Nation for using abusive clauses in its terms and conditions. The violations included vague provisions that prohibited bringing in all types of backpacks, handbags, and "luggage" without defining what that term meant, leaving consumers uncertain until they arrived at venues. The company also restricted refund eligibility by requiring consumers to apply within six months of an event cancellation, after which money was forfeited even though the event did not occur. Consumers who bought tickets for cancelled events or paid deposit fees from 8 May 2024 until the decision becomes final are entitled to refunds within one month.

AGCM Investigates Vorwerk for Shutting Down Neato Robot Cloud Services

The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has launched a formal investigation into Vorwerk Management s.r.l. and Vorwerk Italia s.a.s. following multiple consumer complaints received between November 2025 and April 2026 regarding the shutdown of Neato robot cloud services. Inspections were carried out on 22 April 2026 at the premises of both companies, assisted by the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza). The Authority alleges that shutting down the software systems of devices still in full working order radically changes the nature, features, and value of the product, potentially constituting a misleading and aggressive practice under articles 20, 21, 22, and 24 of the Consumer Code.

NSW Pubs Clubs Prepare for Increased Anzac Day Patronage

Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) has released a departmental notice encouraging pubs and clubs across NSW to prepare for increased Anzac Day patronage on 25 April 2026. The notice reminds venue operators of obligations around responsible alcohol service, crowd management, and traditional two-up gambling, while confirming there are no new trading restrictions beyond existing Liquor Act 2007 provisions. L&GNSW inspectors will be active across metropolitan and regional NSW to monitor compliance with NSW liquor and gaming laws during the commemorative period.

Salmonella Infantis Detected in Slovak Fresh Poultry Meat

A RASFF notification has been issued for Salmonella infantis (pathogenic micro-organisms) detected in fresh poultry meat originating from Slovakia. The product (Carne di pollame refrigerata) was sampled on 31 March 2026, with detection confirmed at presenza/detected per 25g. Italy, the affected Member State, has taken transformation action on the product. The product is reportedly no longer on the market, and no follow-up actions have been recorded.

Mold in Dried Figs from Turkey, Poland Notified

Poland notified the EU RASFF system on April 22, 2026 of mold contamination (non-pathogenic micro-organisms) detected in dried figs (Figi suszone) originating from Turkey. The affected product was sampled on April 2, 2026 and the notifying country took action to withdraw the product from the market, with distribution restricted to Poland only. Two follow-up entries document investigation outcomes from WSSE w Warszawie I and PSSE Poznań.

Salmonella Detected in Turkey Meat from Italy, April 2026

Italy's competent authority ordered the official detention of a batch of turkey meat product 'Anca di tacchino' after analytical testing on 1 April 2026 confirmed the presence of Salmonella spp. (pathogenic micro-organisms, 'Rilevato /25g'). The product, originating from Italy, was reportedly no longer on the market at the time of the notification. A corrigendum follow-up was filed by Italy on the same date.

KfW TenneT Transnet Concentration Under Foreign Subsidies Regulation

The European Commission reviewed the concentration involving KfW, TenneT, and Transnet under Regulation 2022/2560 (Foreign Subsidies Regulation). The parties operate in D.35.13 - Transmission of electricity (NACE Rev. 2.1). The notification was filed on 16.03.2026 and the provisional deadline expired on 23.04.2026, concluding the Commission's suspension period review.

Federal High Court Affirms FCCPC Powers Over Air Peace Ticket Refunds

The Federal High Court Abuja dismissed Air Peace Limited's suit challenging the FCCPC's authority to investigate consumer complaints and issue summons under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018. Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgment on April 20, 2026, affirming the Commission's statutory powers to receive complaints, assess matters, and conduct investigations. The case arose from passenger complaints about unrefunded ticket fares and cancelled flights. This ruling strengthens FCCPC's position as Nigeria's primary consumer protection authority in the aviation sector.