United States: Consumer Protection

New York City has become the first U.S. municipality to enforce its own subscription cancellation requirements, creating a new compliance layer for businesses with NYC subscribers. The rule prohibits unreasonable barriers to cancellation and requires companies that enroll consumers in person to offer online cancellation options. With complaint-driven enforcement, per-violation fines up to $3,500, and restitution measured from the first cancellation attempt, businesses must now navigate city-level regulation

A retailer can face a California Proposition 65 claim over a product it did not manufacture, package or label. Purchasing inventory from an established supplier does not resolve whether the business has its own warning obligations. The issue often comes to the owner’s attention through a 60-day notice alleging that customers were exposed to a listed chemical without an adequate warning.

The Federal Trade Commission is considering whether to update its Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses to address how online platforms' ad optimization tools may facilitate impersonation scams. The proposed rulemaking would examine whether platforms should be held accountable for their role in generating, enhancing, and targeting fraudulent advertisements that impersonate government entities and businesses.