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."
$500K
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced settlements with SunRun, Inc., Elevate Solar Solutions, and two salespeople over allegations of deceptive solar sales, including impersonating consumers and locking homeowners into long-term contracts without consent. SunRun must pay $300,000 and provide consumer relief; Elevate and the salespeople face a stated $200,000 penalty, with $100,000 suspended subject to ongoing compliance.
$8.0M
Connecticut announced an $8 million settlement with Mylan over allegations that it used agreements to delay generic EpiPen competitors and took other actions that inflated prices. Mylan also agreed to provide 10,000 free EpiPens; the release states that Mylan denies wrongdoing.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 22 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief challenging DHS’s policy and practice of conducting warrantless civil immigration arrests. The press release describes a court challenge, not a privacy enforcement action or monetary penalty.
$625K
Connecticut reached a $625,000 settlement with Frontier Communications Parent Inc. over an April 2024 breach in which compromised employee and vendor credentials were used to access internal systems and exfiltrate unencrypted personal information of 58,841 Connecticut residents. The settlement requires Frontier to strengthen its security program, implement specific safeguards and training, and obtain an independent third-party assessment.
$2.6M
Connecticut and New York found that Boston Children’s Health Physicians and its security vendor, XTIUM, failed to use reasonable safeguards, resulting in hackers accessing sensitive personal, medical, and employee information. The companies agreed to pay penalties totaling $2.64 million and implement enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Connecticut joined a coalition of state attorneys general filing a notice in Character Technologies, Inc.’s bankruptcy proceedings, raising concerns about the company’s safety and privacy practices and the sensitive information it holds. The states seek protections for children and consumers if the company’s business or assets are sold or transferred; the filing does not impose a fine or other remedy.