FTC Chairman warns PayPal, Stripe, Visa, Mastercard CEOs on debanking

The FTC issued warning letters to the CEOs of PayPal, Stripe, Visa, and Mastercard regarding concerns about 'debanking' customers based on political or religious views. The letters remind companies of their obligations under the FTC Act and warn of potential investigations and enforcement actions for practices inconsistent with terms of service or customer expectations.

FTC, DOJ Seek Public Comment on Merger Notification Form Effectiveness

The FTC and DOJ have initiated a joint public inquiry seeking comments on the effectiveness of the updated Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) premerger notification form. This follows a court vacating the updated form, leading agencies to revert to the prior version while considering future rulemaking.

FTC Testifies on Combating Fraud and Protecting Consumers

The Federal Trade Commission testified before the Joint Economic Committee regarding its efforts to combat fraud and protect consumers. In FY2025, the FTC brought 40 enforcement actions, obtaining over $1.8 billion in redress, and received 3 million fraud reports from consumers totaling $15.9 billion in reported losses.

Air AI Owners Banned from Marketing Business Opportunities by FTC

The FTC has settled charges against Air AI and its owners, banning them from marketing business opportunities due to deceptive claims. The settlement includes an $18 million monetary judgment, largely suspended, with operators paying $50,000 for consumer relief.

FTC Chairman Launches Healthcare Task Force

FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson has directed the formation of a new Healthcare Task Force to coordinate enforcement and advocacy efforts aimed at protecting patients, healthcare workers, and taxpayers. The task force will focus on targeted initiatives, coordinated investigations, and identifying emerging issues within the healthcare industry.

NIST Launches AI Agent Standards Initiative

NIST announced the launch of its AI Agent Standards Initiative to foster industry-led standards and protocols for AI agents, focusing on security and interoperability. The initiative aims to build public trust and catalyze widespread adoption of autonomous AI systems.

NIST Sends Reference Materials to ISS for Health Study

NIST has sent seven reference materials, including house dust and human liver tissue, to the International Space Station (ISS) for a health study. These materials will help researchers understand the effects of the space environment on manufacturing and human health, supporting U.S. leadership in the commercial space sector.

NIST CAISI Seeks Input on Securing AI Agent Systems

NIST's Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gather insights on securing AI agent systems. The RFI seeks input on unique security threats, methods for improvement, and measurement approaches for these autonomous systems.

NIST Guidelines for Securing Smart Speakers in Home Health Care

NIST has released new guidelines to mitigate cybersecurity and privacy risks associated with integrating smart speakers into home health care systems. The guidelines aim to protect patient confidentiality and provider data in telehealth applications utilizing voice-activated digital assistants.

Draft NIST Cyber AI Profile for Cybersecurity Guidelines

NIST has released a draft Cybersecurity Framework Profile for Artificial Intelligence (Cyber AI Profile) to guide organizations in integrating AI while managing cybersecurity risks. The profile focuses on securing AI systems, using AI for cyber defense, and thwarting AI-enabled attacks.