Penalty Amount
$1,000,000
VIZIO and Inscape settled allegations that they collected viewing data from Smart TVs without adequate disclosure and consent, selling it to third parties. They agreed to pay $1 million to New Jersey, destroy collected data, and implement privacy measures including obtaining consumer consent and establishing a privacy program.
VIZIO and Inscape must pay $1 million in penalties and fees, destroy consumer viewing data collected before March 1, 2016, prominently disclose data collection practices, obtain affirmative express consent from consumers, establish and maintain a comprehensive privacy program, undergo initial and biennial assessments by a third party, submit compliance notices, and maintain records for 20 years.
In-house legal teams should review all customer-facing agreements (terms of service, privacy policies) and vendor contracts involving data collection or smart device software. Focus on clauses governing data collection disclosures, consumer consent mechanisms (especially for continuous/second-by-second tracking), third-party data licensing/sales, and data retention/destruction obligations. Changes will likely be needed to ensure clear, affirmative consent for viewing data collection, provide explicit opt-out rights, restrict data use to disclosed purposes, and incorporate mandatory data destruction protocols and privacy program certifications.
Entity
VIZIO
Industry
TechnologyOfficial Press Release
https://www.njoag.gov/new-jersey-division-of-consumer-affairs-federal-trade-commission-reach-2-5-million-settlement-with-smart-tv-manufacturer-to-settle-allegations-of-invasive-data-collection/
New Jersey Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-consumer-affairs/
"VIZIO"
"The State obtained $1 million"
"New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act"
"Federal Trade Commission Act"
"failing to effectively inform consumers that VIZIO smart televisions were continuously collecting and storing information about their viewing habits"
"Collecting and sharing sensitive data without consumers’ consent"
$18.0M
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general in announcing a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations from a 2023 data breach that compromised genetic data of 6.9 million people worldwide, including nearly 150,000 in New Jersey. The settlement provides $18 million to states from available bankruptcy funds, plus enhanced data security and consumer deletion rights for the successor entity, 23andMe Research Institute.
$45.0M
Block, Inc. agreed to a $45 million multistate settlement with 46 states for allegedly misleading consumers about the safety of Cash App, failing to protect users from fraud, and not providing promised fraud protection. The settlement requires Block to improve customer support, stop misleading claims, and educate consumers about fraud.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 49 attorneys general in calling on the FCC to strengthen rules to cut off scammers' access to legitimate telephone numbers. The coalition's letter requests stronger certification rules, regular reporting, and prohibitions on number cycling to combat illegal robocalls.
Governor Sherrill and Attorney General Davenport announced coordinated executive actions to reduce and eliminate junk fees in New Jersey. The initiative includes an Executive Order directing state agencies to review industries for junk fees and an Enforcement Statement from the Division of Consumer Affairs explaining how junk fee practices may violate the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.
The New Jersey Bureau of Securities announced its 2026 annual investment adviser examination, with a particular focus on firms' use of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity protocols. The examination requires nearly 800 registered investment adviser firms to answer questions about AI use in portfolio management, data protection policies, and third-party vendor due diligence. Failure to comply may result in administrative action.
The New Jersey Bureau of Securities filed a lawsuit against Xiao Hu (aka Mark Hu) and his companies Skyline Technology USA LLC and Thunderbirds.ME, Inc. for allegedly defrauding at least 15 investors out of $2.5 million through unregistered securities offerings. Hu allegedly misappropriated at least $280,000 for personal expenses including a home purchase and vacation, and falsely claimed to have a Ph.D. from Columbia University.