Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, AGENCY NEWS: FTC touts 150 enforcement actions, $640M in consumer redress in 2014, (Apr 15, 2015)

By Greg Hammond, J.D.

FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez released the Commission’s 2014 Annual Highlights today, reporting the agency’s efforts in protecting consumers and promoting competition over the course of the 2014 calendar year.

The Highlights noted a number of enforcement actions focused on the consumer products and services, health care, and technology industries. Most notably, in the health care sector, was the Commission’s victory in the Ninth Circuit over the St. Luke’s Hospital/Saltzer Group merger. The Ninth Circuit upheld a lower court’s order, finding the merger anticompetitive, which ultimately helped keep health care costs low for consumers, the Commission found. Similarly, in the technology sector, the Commission successfully took various actions to preserve competition, including blocking a proposed $650 million acquisition in the rooftop aerial services industry, and actions taken against companies that misrepresented security features on mobile apps, failed to disclose hidden in-app charges, and engaged in mobile cramming.

The Commission also noted that it filed eight amicus briefs concerning debt collection and children’s online privacy, and it hosted 16 workshops and conferences concerning the health care industry and competition and technology-related issues relating to big data and mobile device tracking. Further, the Commission noted that it continues to lead efforts to promote sound and effective antitrust enforcement internationally, through cooperation and the creation of new, sound policies with its international counterparts.

The Highlights disclosed that nearly 750,000 consumers received redress totaling over $65.2 million in 2014. It also noted that over 2.5 million complaints were filed; $642.4 million in redress and disgorgement was ordered; and $14.2 million in civil penalties were ordered in 2014. The Commission was successful in reaching out to the public as well, noting that it received 73,814 new email subscribers, nearly 8,500 new Twitter followers, 16,610 new likes on Facebook, and over 1,500 new YouTube subscribers.

“With over 150 law enforcement actions taken and $640 million in consumer redress ordered, we marked the FTC’s centennial year with vigorous efforts to protect consumers and promote competition in a dynamic and continuously evolving marketplace,” stated Chairwoman Ramirez. “Our enforcement, policy work, and business and consumer education demonstrate that the FTC is well positioned to serve the American public for another 100 years.”

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