The FTC settled charges against GoDaddy Inc. and GoDaddy.com, LLC for misleading customers about their data security protections and failing to adequately secure their website hosting services. The company allegedly did not implement reasonable security measures, leaving customer websites vulnerable to attacks that could harm both the customers and visitors to those sites. The case resulted in a consent order requiring GoDaddy to improve its security practices.
In-house legal teams should review all vendor and customer agreements where GoDaddy provides website hosting or related services. Specifically examine clauses covering security representations, warranties, and standards; audit and inspection rights; breach notification procedures; indemnification terms related to security incidents; and limitations of liability for data breaches or service vulnerabilities. Given the FTC's findings, contracts must accurately reflect the actual security practices and avoid overpromising protections. Consider adding or strengthening requirements for vulnerability testing, patch management, and customer-specific security controls, and ensure breach notification timelines align with regulatory expectations. Updates may be needed to align with the consent order's mandated security program improvements.
Entity
GoDaddy Inc. and GoDaddy.com, LLC
Also known as: GoDaddy
Industry
TechnologyOfficial Press Release
https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/2023133-godaddy-inc-et-al-matter
GoDaddy Complaint
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/GoDaddy-Complaint.pdf
GoDaddy D&O
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/GoDaddy-D&O.pdf
2023133 godaddy consent
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/2023133_godaddy_consent.pdf
2023133 godaddy decisionandorder
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/2023133_godaddy_decisionandorder.pdf
2023133 godaddy complaint
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/2023133_godaddy_complaint.pdf
2023133 godaddy analysisofproposedconsent
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/2023133_godaddy_analysisofproposedconsent.pdf
2023133 godaddy exhibits
https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/2023133_godaddy_exhibits.pdf
ftc finalizes order godaddy over data security failures
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/05/ftc-finalizes-order-godaddy-over-data-security-failures
ftc takes action against godaddy alleged lax data security i
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/01/ftc-takes-action-against-godaddy-alleged-lax-data-security-its-website-hosting-services
Federal Trade Commission Enforcement Page
https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement
"In the Matter of GoDaddy Inc., a corporation, and GoDaddy.com, LLC, a limited liability company."
"Case settles charges that GoDaddy misled customers about the extent of its data security protections and failed to secure its website hosting services against attacks that could harm its customers and visitors to the customers' websites."
"Agreement Containing Consent Order"
The FTC sent warning letters to 12 companies offering 'nudify' tools that generate nonconsensual intimate images, for failing to comply with the TAKE IT DOWN Act (TIDA) by not providing a mechanism for victims to request removal of such content. The letters urge immediate compliance with TIDA, which requires platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images within 48 hours of a valid request. Noncompliant companies may face future legal action and civil penalties of up to $53,088 per violation.
The FTC began enforcing the TAKE IT DOWN Act on May 19, 2026, a law requiring covered platforms to establish a process for victims to request removal of nonconsensual intimate images and delete such content within 48 hours of a valid request. The agency launched a consumer complaint portal, issued compliance guidance for businesses and consumers, and sent reminder letters to major platforms including Meta, TikTok, and X about their obligations under the law. No specific penalties or enforcement actions against individual companies were announced in this release.
$6.5M
A federal court held Cliq Inc. and its executives Andrew Phillips and John Blaugrund in civil contempt for multiple violations of a 2015 FTC order requiring the payment processor to prevent enabling consumer fraud. The court found the defendants facilitated fraud by processing transactions for high-risk merchants, avoiding fraud monitoring, failing to conduct required underwriting, and ignoring chargeback thresholds. The court imposed $6.5 million in civil contempt sanctions against the defendants.
$795.8M
The FTC and State of Nevada settled charges with lead defendants of the IM Mastery Academy MLM scheme, including Chris and Isis Terry and their affiliated companies, over false earnings claims used to promote financial training programs and a multi-level marketing venture. The stipulated order imposes a $795.8 million judgment, with defendants surrendering nearly $90 million in assets including luxury real estate, vehicles, jewelry, and a yacht, totaling over $100 million with prior judgments from other involved defendants. The order also bans defendants from selling trading-training services, prohibits false earnings claims, and restricts deceptive practices including negative-option misrepresentations and telemarketing violations.
The FTC and State of Illinois, via the Department of Justice, filed a complaint against B.E.S.T. GDR LLC (d/b/a Premium Home Service) and its owner Yosef Bernath for creating thousands of fake home repair business listings with fabricated five-star reviews to deceive consumers. The defendants allegedly routed consumer calls to unqualified representatives, arranged for unlicensed technicians, and violated the FTC Act, Reviews and Testimonials Rule, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and Illinois consumer protection laws. No monetary penalty has been imposed yet as the case is in initial filing stages.
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson sent letters to over a dozen major technology companies reminding them of their obligation to comply with the Take It Down Act (TIDA) by May 19, 2026. TIDA requires covered platforms to establish a process for victims, including children, to request removal of nonconsensual intimate images, with takedown of content and all identical copies required within 48 hours of a valid request. The FTC also issued supplemental guidance to help companies prepare for compliance and warned that it will monitor and enforce violations of the law.