Connecticut Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 14 attorneys general in demanding that Facebook disclose whether members of the 'Disinformation Dozen' were granted XCheck protections, which allow users to bypass enforcement rules. The coalition seeks information on the extent of anti-vaccine content from whitelisted users and complaint outcomes.
Facebook is required to provide detailed information about its XCheck program, including whether specific individuals received whitelist protections, the amount of anti-vaccine content from such accounts, and user complaint resolutions.
In-house legal teams should review vendor and customer agreements with Facebook (Meta), particularly those involving content moderation, advertising, or platform access. Focus on clauses related to enforcement consistency, user exemptions, rule application transparency, and complaint resolution processes. Specific clauses to examine include those governing content takedown procedures, account suspension/restoration, special access programs (like whitelisting), and representations about equal enforcement. Changes may be needed to require disclosure of any whitelisted accounts or preferential treatment, ensure enforcement rules apply uniformly, and add audit rights to monitor compliance with stated moderation policies.
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Also known as: Meta
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Social MediaOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2021-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-seeks-answers-on-facebook-xcheck-protections-for-disinformation-dozen
facebook xcheck letter final signed oct 13 2021.pdf?rev=734c
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2021/facebook-xcheck-letter-final-signed-oct-13-2021.pdf?rev=734c990652e64966a7d5adab5dfe3c2b&hash=F3B353EF77DC44755AA8960B78339B66
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
The New Jersey Attorney General announced an investigation into how the personal information of millions of Facebook users was harvested and obtained by Cambridge Analytica, a UK-based data analytics company. The AG expressed concern that Facebook may have allowed the harvesting and monetization of user data despite promises to keep it secure.
$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.