The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent warning letters to 13 data brokers reminding them of their obligations under the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act (PADFAA). PADFAA prohibits data brokers from selling or providing sensitive personal data about Americans to foreign adversaries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The letters warn that violations could result in civil penalties of up to $53,088 per violation and urge companies to review their business practices for compliance.
Entity
Data Brokers
Industry
Data BrokerOfficial Press Release
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/02/ftc-reminds-data-brokers-their-obligations-comply-padfaa
military padfaa warning letter template
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/military-padfaa-warning-letter-template.pdf
Federal Trade Commission Enforcement Page
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement
CalPrivacy issued Enforcement Advisory No. 2025-01 to remind data brokers of their annual registration obligations under California's Delete Act, including disclosing all trade names and websites and registering independently rather than through a parent company. The advisory warns that failures to comply may result in administrative fines of $200 per day, plus fees and recovery costs. It also highlights the upcoming Delete Request and Opt-Out Platform (DROP) launching January 1, 2026.
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CalPrivacy) announced the creation of a Data Broker Enforcement Strike Force to investigate privacy violations by data brokers. The strike force will focus on compliance with the Delete Act's registration requirement and the CCPA, building on previous enforcement actions. This initiative aims to hold data brokers accountable and protect Californians' personal information.
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CalPrivacy) announced the creation of a Data Broker Enforcement Strike Force to investigate privacy violations by data brokers under the CCPA and Delete Act. The strike force will focus on compliance with registration requirements and other obligations, building on previous enforcement actions to increase accountability.
$18.0M
Consumer fraud enforcement action where the FTC settled with Air AI for misleading entrepreneurs with false earnings and refund guarantees. The company will be banned from marketing business opportunities and pay a suspended $18 million judgment with $50,000 for consumer relief. Violations included failure to provide required disclosures and false claims under the Telemarketing Sales Rule and Business Opportunity Rule.
$17.0M
Consumer fraud enforcement action where the FTC settled with Xponential Fitness for violating the Franchise Rule by misrepresenting key information to franchisees, including time to open and costs. The settlement includes a $17 million monetary judgment for redress and prohibits future misrepresentations.
Consumer fraud and advertising enforcement action where the FTC sent warning letters to 97 auto dealership groups for deceptive pricing practices, such as advertising prices that exclude mandatory fees, misleading consumers about total costs. The letters stress the need for truthful and transparent pricing in the automotive industry.