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As discussed in our prior post, the Department of Justice (DOJ) entered into a settlement with Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook Inc. (Meta), to resolve allegations that Meta engaged in discriminatory advertising in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA). A key part of that settlement was Facebook’s agreement to build a new Variance Reduction System (VRS) to address disparities for race, ethnicity, and sex between the housing advertisers’ targeted audiences and the group of Facebook users to whom Facebook’s internal personalization algorithms actually deliver the ads. … Continue Reading

After reviewing the developments leading up to the settlement, we examine the aspects of Facebook’s advertising delivery system that were alleged to be discriminatory.  We then discuss the terms of the settlement, including the variance reduction system that Facebook must develop to address disparities for race, ethnicity and sex between advertisers’ targeted audiences and the group of Facebook users to whom Facebook’s personalization algorithms actually deliver the advertisements, how variances will be measured, the role of an independent third-party reviewer, and the timetable for implementation.… Continue Reading

The Department of Justice announced that it has entered into a settlement with Meta Platforms Inc., formerly known as Facebook Inc., to resolve allegations that Meta engaged in discriminatory advertising in violation of the Fair Housing Act (FHA).  The proposed agreement was filed in a New York federal district court simultaneously with a complaint alleging that Facebook’s housing advertising system discriminated against Facebook users based on their race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin.… Continue Reading

After looking at how the decision narrows the technology covered by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act’s automatic telephone dialing system definition, we discuss its implications for TCPA litigation going forward, including do-not-call and prerecorded call claims and the intersection with debt collection claims, and for regulatory compliance when making calls for telemarketing or lead generation, as well as possible Congressional responses to the decision.… Continue Reading

Yesterday, in a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court limited the reach of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act by narrowing what technology qualifies as an Automatic Telephone Dialing System.  In the wake of this development, members of Ballard Spahr’s Consumer Financial Services Group recorded a conversation that breaks down and analyzes what the Court’s decision in Facebook v.… Continue Reading

Today, in a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court limited the reach of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) by narrowing what technology qualifies as an Automatic Telephone Dialing System (“ATDS”).  Among other restrictions, the TCPA prohibits calls to phone numbers using an ATDS without prior express consent.  The TCPA defines an ATDS as “equipment which has the capacity (A) to store or produce telephone numbers to be called, using a random or sequential number generator; and (B) to dial such numbers.”… Continue Reading

Days after missing the opportunity in Barr v. American Association of Political Consultants to limit the improper impact of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act on legitimate businesses, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to tackle the most debated issue in TCPA litigation history.  The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to decide what qualifies as an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS).… Continue Reading

A purported class action filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accuses Facebook of discriminating against women and individuals over 40 who were denied advertisements and information about certain financial services opportunities, including those for bank accounts, insurance, and investing.

According to the complaint, Facebook encourages financial services advertisers to target specific populations in order to reach the most “relevant” group and the “kinds of people” the businesses consider to be their “best customers.” … Continue Reading

Tomorrow, October 23, the House Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing entitled “An Examination of Facebook and Its Impact on the Financial Services and Housing Sectors.” The scheduled witness will be Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Facebook. There will be a live webcast of the hearing.

As indicated in the Committee Memorandum, Fair Housing is among the topics to be discussed.… Continue Reading

Just two days after the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a historic settlement of privacy and security claims against Equifax, the FTC today announced that Facebook has agreed to pay $5 billion in civil fines, arising from its violation of a 2012 consent order with the FTC.  According to the FTC, this is the largest fine ever levied by a U.S.… Continue Reading