1,634 enforcement actions from 16 federal and state jurisdictions. Every event traced back to its official government source.
1,634
Total Actions
16
Jurisdictions
$49.9B+
Total Fines Tracked
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent notification letters to over 100 companies for failing to register as data brokers under Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 509, which requires registration by March 1, 2024, and implementation of data safeguards. This action is part of an initiative to enforce privacy laws and protect consumer data.
The FTC settled with InMarket Media for unlawfully collecting and using consumers' precise location data without adequate notice and consent. The order prohibits InMarket from selling or sharing precise location data, requires deletion of collected data, and mandates consumer consent mechanisms and privacy programs.
The FTC finalized an order against data broker X-Mode and its successor Outlogic for selling precise location data that could track visits to sensitive locations like medical clinics and places of worship. The order bans them from sharing or selling sensitive location data and requires them to delete collected data, implement privacy programs, and ensure downstream compliance.
The California Privacy Protection Agency settled with data broker Key Marketing Advantage, LLC for failing to register and pay fees under the Delete Act. KMA will pay $55,800 and agree to injunctive terms. This is the fifth enforcement action in a sweep against unregistered data brokers.
$56K
The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) settled with data broker Key Marketing Advantage, LLC for failing to register and pay fees under the Delete Act. KMA will pay $55,800 and comply with injunctive terms, including covering attorney fees for non-compliance. This is the fifth enforcement action in CPPA's sweep against unregistered data brokers.
$56K
The FTC settled with data brokers X-Mode Social and Outlogic for selling precise location data without informed consent and failing to protect sensitive information. The proposed order bans the sale of sensitive location data, requires deletion of collected data, and mandates a comprehensive privacy program. This is the FTC's first action against a data broker for sensitive location data practices.
The FTC and CFPB settled with Trans Union LLC and its subsidiary for violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by including inaccurate and incomplete eviction records in tenant screening reports, harming consumers' ability to obtain housing. The settlement requires Trans Union to pay $15 million, with $11 million for consumer compensation and $4 million as a civil penalty, and to implement measures to ensure report accuracy and disclose data sources.
$15.0M
The FTC settled with background report providers TruthFinder and Instant Checkmate, charging they deceived consumers about the accuracy of their reports (often mischaracterizing traffic tickets as criminal records) and violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) by operating as consumer reporting agencies without following its requirements, including ensuring accuracy and limiting permissible purposes. The companies will pay a $5.8 million penalty and implement a comprehensive FCRA compliance monitoring program.
$5.8M
Connecticut, as part of a 40-state coalition, secured multistate settlements totaling over $16 million with Experian and T-Mobile related to data breaches in 2012 and 2015 that exposed consumers' personal information. Experian agreed to pay $12.67 million and implement enhanced data security measures, while T-Mobile agreed to pay $2.43 million and strengthen vendor management. Additionally, Experian Data Corp. paid $1 million to resolve a separate 2012 breach investigation, with all entities required to improve data protection practices.
$16.0M
The FTC and CFPB filed an amicus brief with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court ruling that exempted furnishers from investigating indirect disputes under the FCRA. The brief argues that all disputes must be investigated to ensure consumers can correct inaccurate credit information and be notified of outcomes, upholding key FCRA protections.
The FTC and DOJ settled with MyLife.com, Inc. and its CEO for deceiving consumers with misleading background reports that falsely implied criminal records and for engaging in difficult-to-cancel subscription practices. MyLife violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, and Telemarketing Sales Rule. The settlement includes a permanent ban on negative option marketing, $33.9 million in judgments for consumer refunds, and a monitoring program.
$33.9M
AppFolio, Inc., a tenant background report provider, settled with the FTC for $4.25 million over allegations it violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act by failing to implement reasonable procedures to ensure the accuracy of its screening reports and by including eviction and non-conviction criminal records older than seven years. The settlement prohibits including old records and requires maintaining accuracy procedures.
$4.3M
The FTC filed a complaint against MyLife.com, Inc. and its CEO for deceiving consumers with 'teaser background reports' that falsely claimed to include criminal and arrest records, and for violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act by failing to ensure accuracy and permissible purpose. The company also engaged in misleading billing practices under the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act and Telemarketing Sales Rule.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, leading a multistate coalition of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, announced a settlement with Equifax over a 2017 data breach that exposed personal information of 147 million consumers, including 15 million Californians. The breach resulted from Equifax’s failure to apply a critical software patch and implement adequate security measures, with disclosure delayed for months after discovery. Equifax will pay $175 million in state penalties, up to $425 million in consumer restitution, and implement enhanced data security measures and ten years of free credit monitoring for affected consumers.
$175.0M
New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino announced that New Jersey has joined a multi-state investigation into Equifax following a data breach affecting 143 million consumers. The multi-state group sent a letter demanding Equifax disable fee-based credit monitoring services and reimburse consumers for credit freeze fees with other bureaus, citing unfair practices and a months-long delay in breach disclosure.
All data sourced from official government enforcement pages.