FTC ruling and its effects....

[Aitor Astobieta]

I am not an American, and I do not live in America.

But I want to know how the new FTC rulings are going to affect the businesses of fellow Warriors?

For you American warriors, are these rulings a big hit for your business or simply a minor obstacle?

For you non-American warriors, does this affect you in any way?

Are these rulings being overblown out of proportion?

[tresfavian]

From what I understand FTC rules apply everywhere. They can still go after
you from another country for not complying with internet FTC rules.

[shearerc]

Originally Posted by tresfavian

From what I understand FTC rules apply everywhere. They can still go after
you from another country for not complying with internet FTC rules.

Can anyone else confirm this?

[broker12]

I think you have to physically be in the country for them to enforce the rules against you.
What were the new FTC rulings? Do you have a link?

FTC? Who? Never heard of them! :P

[jazbo]

I personally cannot see the FTC filing for extradition to the good old US of A because someone made up a few porkies on a website?

[David McKee]

Originally Posted by tresfavian

From what I understand FTC rules apply everywhere. They can still go after
you from another country for not complying with internet FTC rules.

Bullcrap. Obama may think he is the ruler of the world, but if I were actually living in another country I would flagrantly violate FTC "rules" just to get them mad at me and then challenge them to do something about it! As if!

If you are in another country that is not as socialist as America is becoming, and still appreciate true capitalism and the principle of "caveat emptor", if you have a great product and know it is great - say so. And let your customers say so. To hell with the FTC.

I am not advocating screwing your customer - on the contrary, the customer is the boss because they are the one paying you, but I am advocating that the government stay the hell out of business, because anything the government touches turns into sh*t.

-David T. McKee

[sbucciarel]

If you're not in the US but use ad networks in the US, it will definitely affect you. The ad networks will be enforcing the FTC guides to keep themselves out of trouble.

[David McKee]

Originally Posted by sbucciarel

If you're not in the US but use ad networks in the US, it will definitely affect you. The ad networks will be enforcing the FTC guides to keep themselves out of trouble.

I was talking strict websites - yes, if you are using resources who reside in the US you are affected to the extent those resources are available - however, FTC has no jurisdiction in other countries as far as knocking on your door... We are not [yet] a globalist community where sovereignty issues do not still matter. FTC has no sovereignty in say, Ireland or Australia (countries that are quickly becoming more free that America... for the time being).

-DTM
(a Randian Capitalist)

[ripperdav]

Yes, that's true. I'm from Canada, but, because I market US products and ads...the FTC rules do apply.. That's completely my understanding anyhow.

[David McKee]

Originally Posted by ripperdav

Yes, that's true. I'm from Canada, but, because I market US products and ads...the FTC rules do apply.. That's completely my understanding anyhow.

Sure, but if you were to violate those policies (or if the FTC accused you, which is not the same thing) - they could not haul you off to jail unless your government allowed them to do so. That was my point. Obviously if you want to actually make some money you got to jump through the hoops.

-DTM

[Istvan Horvath]

Originally Posted by David McKee

Sure, but if you were to violate those policies (or if the FTC accused you, which is not the same thing) - they could not haul you off to jail [...]

That's true, however if your sites are hosted with a US company (which happens quite often even in the case of IMers from other countries) - you might be in trouble.

[Zach Booker]

I'm so tired of these threads.

This FTC division is under funded and under educated - to put it frank.

They will not go after your blogger blog, squidoo lens, or website getting >5,000 hits a day.

...Unless your running a ponzi scheme I wouldn't be shaking in your boots too much. Like always talk with a good lawyer but I've talked to a lot of people, including heads of CPA networks, and their attitude is "bring it on".

Reason being is that the FTC will only go after those with money, easily accessible money. If your in any other country besides the US it's gonna be harder to get the money, obviously. And if you structure your business properly you'll have no trouble at all.

...Besides all this your going to need to do some SERIOUS volume to come on the FTC's radar. Talking from something I know i'd guesstimate you'd need to be making around 200+ Biz Kit leads a day to be on their radar. (Simply because so many people do so much more than that it's crazy.)

And guess what will happen. The FTC will warn them and they'll either switch domains if they're doing PPC/PPV, move their hosting off shore, or pay the freaking ten grand. (It's like getting a parking ticket for most big players.)

...

If anyones interested, i'm sure most aren't, but what I've started to do is just diversify and hide everything I do. (Keep in mind these are bigger sites and sites promoting CPA offers - if your doing Clickbank stuff don't worry.)

I have all hosting at SEO hosting and randomize my IP's so if Google slaps the IP only one site is affected and of course I hide the who-is etc. (Free who-is at NameCheap.)

With the lowest rank in SEO hosting you can host 5 sites or data bases. Once I hit 5 I get a new account with completely different info and pay with a pre-paid credit card or something - or a different, un-connected to myself, PayPal account.

If, and this is a huge if, the FTC comes knocking to the US based SEO Hosting, which is owned by Host Gator if anyone is wondering, they will shut down my account and possibly hand over "my" info.

Of course if I get shut down 5 sites will drop off. And the info the FTC gets will simply be fake and all paid for via fake credit cards. Now if they want to go really into it i'm sure they could and i'm sure they'd be more than able to track me down. (Especially if they like the WF!)

But the bottom line is that if it's too hard they'll simply move on because what are they gonna do? Come to Canada and give me a 10 grand fine? If they are that motivated good for them.

I ran across a flog while doing some research and for whatever reason did a who is lookup and saw exactly who owned the flog - assuming it's them, which I'm sure it is. He's probably doing a few grand a day and his info is totally public.

...These are more so the targets the FTC will go for. I'm sure they'll have some software that will rip through Adwords etc and take down the flogs and strip them to find the who is info and if they get it they'll than research what volume their doing and see if they qualify.

It's all about the money and the FTC won't bother you if they don't deem the time they spend as worthwhile. Doing what I do makes it a bitch for them to figure out.

They'll go after the people who are most complained about on the BBB or scam boards - just don't be one of those people.

Also keep in mind that i'm sure the FTC will want a little publicity from this all so they'll prob take down a bigger advertiser and than get on 60 Minutes in the hopes of getting some more funding.

Zach

P.S - Sorry for the crazy long post. Also I do this for NameCheap where I register my domains - it seems crazy but takes no time at all and works well. (Not my idea obviously either.)

P.P.S - I'm just paranoid sometimes. I do nothing illegal or unethical. I just feel that protecting your assets is crucial whether it be from Google or the FTC - doesn't matter. At least practicing setting up who-is info and getting put on a single, random IP is AM 101. (The other stuff - i'll admit could be overboard and not needed.)

[ManuelGonzalez]

I dont get the FTC really, i mean they feel tehy can run the internet? to be honest i dont see how they can pull off enforcing all their laws.

[FaJeeb]

Even as an American, the FTC won't be bothering me.

[pcpupil]

I just posted a thread concerning this very topic.
The thread title is [FTC goes after scammer in australia.]

[Erik Ortega]

The truth is...and this probably isn't the answer you want to hear but it's your safest bet because everyone is going to interpret the law in various ways so your best bet is to pay a lawyer for a consultation so he/she can let you know if your sites are in full compliance.

[Sean Ski]

FTC applies everywhere they'll go after you if they're able, just because you live outside the U.S doesn't give you a free ride to spam the hell out of people, they just got a guy in Australia FTC goes after scammer in australia

If there was no one going after people who lived outside of the U.S or their own countries didn't have their own internet laws in place than every major spammer/scammer would just move to a different country and do illegal activities all day; maybe they do I don't know...

[xiaophil]

Having a government step in to nanny people and protect them from themselves is always a bit sad I think.

On the other hand, with many facing an increasingly desperate financial situation, they become easier targets for scams like "make $50k a month from scratch"

Originally Posted by Zach Booker

... a new account with completely different info .... the info the FTC gets will simply be fake and all paid for via fake credit cards ... I do nothing illegal or unethical.

Zach, IMO legal and ethical activities don't require the level of attempted evasion you are describing.

It's all about the money and the FTC won't bother you if they don't deem the time they spend as worthwhile. Doing what I do makes it a bitch for them to figure out.

You're assuming that in the future they will be doing things the same as in the past. How about new legislation that would make it illegal for service providers to host non-compliant sites? Think along those lines and you may get more of a taste of what is coming.

[WD Mino]

Ok I must say I am fed up with all this FTC talk. all over the place it is a big topic and for what?
If you have your site with a disclaimer and a privacy policy. you don't lie or misrepresent your product. and you don't use fake testimonials which is or tell people they can make XXX dollars which is deceptive marketing to begin with. what are you worried about?
don't be deceived the US is able to do an awful lot more then people think due to agreements with other governments including Canada The Eu countries etc. they just took someone in Australia the only reason this would ever be a concern is if you were ripping people off and if you are then you deserve what you get. if your not fear not!

I do not use testimonials, for one thing it gives people a false sense of hope and security. Believing they also could do what someone has said they have done or may have actually done. the fact is crime is crime ripping people off is ripping them off using deception to line your pocket book is despicable and should not ever be tolerated. so what if you have to say if you receive compensation you should anyways. but if it really came down to it you could win the stupid case anyhow . how???? simple you don't see them bashing tv commercials in which EVERYONE is paid to promote the product. that is what is known as a loophole or technicality that alone would crush their case.you can't enforce one without enforcing it all in terms of bloggers and promoters getting something for promoting. but the rest of it you should just be honest tell people the truth be transparent and you will have great success and that's it!
-WD

[HeySal]

The biggest change I see most marketers (legit ones anyway) having to make is testimonials. I had some awesome testimonials on my skin care site, but took every one of them down. There is no way on this earth to prove average results so any testimonial I put up is a jeopardy - especially considering the genre. I think that money, health, beauty, and weight loss sites are going to get slammed to the hilt before too long.