Connecticut Attorney General William Tong filed a lawsuit against Altice for charging unlawful 'Network Enhancement Fees' and failing to adequately disclose internet speed limits. The complaint seeks to stop the fees, recover millions for consumers, and address deceptive marketing practices including language barriers.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction to halt the Network Enhancement Fees, restitution for consumers who paid the fees, and monetary penalties to the state of Connecticut.
In-house legal teams should review customer service agreements, internet service terms, and marketing material contracts for clauses related to fee disclosure, service speed guarantees, and disclosure clarity. Specifically examine sections on monthly fees, additional charges, advertised speed representations, and language requirements for marketing materials. Changes may be needed to ensure all fees are disclosed upfront before purchase, speed limits are clearly stated in plain language, and marketing materials provide equivalent disclosures in the customer's primary language, especially for Spanish-speaking consumers.
Entity
Altice
Industry
TelecommunicationsOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2024-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-files-suit-against-altice-over-unlawful-network-enhancement-fee
altice complaint 51124 redacted.pdf?rev=d96afa1bb22e4324a247
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2024/altice---complaint---51124_redacted.pdf?rev=d96afa1bb22e4324a24706f9030d2570&hash=A1AD71C51871A233238A939A654771C7
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
"Altice has charged"
"Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act"
"The complaint alleges three categories of violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, including the improper fee, inadequate speed disclosures, and English-language disclosures on Spanish marketing materials."
$29.6M
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 48 states and territories in a $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark, a generic drug manufacturer, for allegedly conspiring to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and restrain trade for numerous generic prescription drugs. The settlement includes cooperation in ongoing litigations and internal reforms to ensure fair competition.
$29.6M
Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 48 states and territories in a $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark, a generic drug manufacturer, to resolve allegations of a widespread conspiracy to artificially inflate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade for numerous generic prescription drugs. The settlement includes cooperation from Glenmark in ongoing multistate litigations and internal reforms to ensure fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws.
$18.0M
Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 42 attorneys general in a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers. The settlement includes $150 million in allowed claims, with $18 million paid from bankruptcy funds, and requires enhanced data security measures for the new entity holding the data.
Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 12 attorneys general in suing to block the $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Paramount Skydance Corporation. The lawsuit alleges the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act by substantially lessening competition in theatrical film distribution and basic cable television licensing, which would harm consumers through higher prices and reduced quality.
Attorney General William Tong and 48 other attorneys general submitted comments to the FCC urging stronger rules to prevent scammers from accessing legitimate telephone numbers for illegal robocalls. The coalition is responding to the FCC's proposed rules and asks for measures such as stronger certification, reporting, and prohibitions on number cycling.
$45.0M
Attorney General Tong announced a $45 million multistate settlement with Block, Inc., the company behind Cash App, for misleading consumers about the safety of the platform, failing to protect users from fraud, and not providing promised fraud protection and resolution services. The settlement requires Block to implement major reforms including real customer support, transparent communications, and security commitments, and reaffirms Block's commitment to distribute between $75 million and $120 million to compensate consumers as part of a separate CFPB settlement.