Connecticut Attorney General William Tong filed an expanded complaint against Altice/Optimum Online for deceptive advertising and hidden 'Network Enhancement' fees that collected at least $39.1 million from consumers. The company allegedly misled customers with 'price for life' deals while burying fees in fine print and targeting Spanish speakers with English-only disclosures. The complaint seeks penalties and disgorgement under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.
In-house legal teams should review vendor and customer contracts for clauses that allow hidden fees or undisclosed charges. Ensure all fees are transparently disclosed upfront in advertisements and agreements, with special attention to multilingual marketing materials to avoid language-based deception. Verify compliance with state consumer protection laws regarding unfair and deceptive practices, and update contract terms to prevent similar bait-and-switch tactics.
Entity
Altice/Optimum Online
Also known as: Altice
Industry
TelecommunicationsOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2025-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-files-expanded-complaint-against-altice
altice substitute complaint re mtsfinalredacted 002.pdf?rev=
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2025/altice-substitute-complaint-re-mtsfinalredacted-002.pdf?rev=e920ca01304d44bbb87a761e1255ac77&hash=1DE865322FE884B674778C1CC596A3FF
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
"Altice/Optimum Online"
"Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act"
"deceptive advertisements intentionally misled Spanish speakers and unlawfully reaped at least $39.1 million in bait-and-switch “Network Enhancement” junk fees"
$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.