FTC making a dirty move again (SHOULD we be Worried?)

by Snatch
12 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
  • |
Guys, just got this scarry shit email from Jeff Johnson (I am in his list) about FTC Google and FB that can actually prosecute you and not only crackdown all your online assets. You know, a big MESS. Then he goes and pitch something about his lawyer but links are ommited obviously.

Just want to know your opininon is that true, or is that another pitch? Any experiences, opinions:

Here is the email:

I had my attorney update my website documents twice last month in order to comply with these changes and avoid the "crackdowns".
Did you have a chance to review and update yours yet?
Here's what I'm talking about:
For the last few months there have been rumors swirling around the internet about a huge "crackdown" that's coming from both Facebook and Google.
You may have even received several emails or seen blog posts from respected marketers such as Ed Dale who called it "The Coming Facebook Apocalypse" and even the "Facebook Slap".
Well here's the bad news...
It's not just a rumor, it's a reality.
Facebook has been sending out "cease and desist" letters to some extremely high-profile companies and completely shutting down their Facebook accounts... 100% "out of business" when it comes to marketing on Facebook.
But getting your Facebook account shut down is only part of the problem...
Facebook Ads, Google Adwords & Google Analytics all warn you very clearly in their newly updated Terms of Service (TOS) that you must notify your visitors in your Privacy Policy about all Data Collection methods and Opt Out procedures... if you don't then Facebook and Google may shut your accounts down without warning.
You can here read more about these new privacy policy requirements
It gets even worse...
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Government's consumer watchdog agency for the Internet, is the driving force behind these changes at Facebook, Google and the other major players.
But it doesn't just stop with major players...
The FTC isn't concerned with your difficulties or problems, as an Internet marketer, in being compliant with their laws, or you making money. Their only concern is protecting the consumer from Websites that violate their regulation by not having the proper disclosures in their Privacy Policy.
And just recently the FTC has officially announced their intentions to step-up their policing and enforcement of the new privacy rules and regulations that are pouring out of Washington.
This quick 2 minute "breaking news" video explains the FTC's new position on website privacy policies.. definitely a "must watch" video for anyone doing business online.
Here's a scary Fact for you:
If Your Website/Business Isn't Compliant With The FTC Rules & Regulations, Your Personal & Business Assets Could Be Seized, Or Worse You Could Face Criminal Prosecution.
I don't know about you but for me personally I sure as hell don't want the FTC to seize everything my family and I own and have worked so hard to build just because I didn't know I had to update the TOS documents that have been on my website for years.
And I certainly don't want Facebook or Google to "Slap" me and suddenly shut all of my accounts down, so...
Here's what I did to protect myself, my family and my business.
I paid my Internet Lawyer to update my Privacy Policy to incorporate the new Facebook and Google disclosure requirements, as well as the newest FTC rules and regulations... and you should too.
Here's the good news for you:
My Internet Lawyer has agreed to give you and my other loyal subscribers a huge
$450 discount off the normal price of your new and greatly improved Privacy Policy.
(Yes, you are really getting it for at least $450 less than I just paid for it.)
That means just $97 gets you one the most up-to-date and extremely
comprehensive Privacy Policies found anywhere on the internet.
Trust me on this... $97 is an absolute bargain considering the protection the new Privacy Policay can provide for you, your business and your family.
Please do yourself a favor and take advantage of this very limited time discount offer while you still can... it's not an expense,
it's a very smart investment in your business!
My Privacy Policy is up to date, is yours?
Jeff Johnson
P.S.
Here's a question for you...
When was the last time you updated your Privacy Policy?
If it wasn't in the last month or two then chances are great that you need to update it, as in right now, this very minute before it's too late.
Get your new Privacy Policy for just $97 but only for a very limited time.
Consumer Notice: Bob Silber is the attorney I've trusted with my all of my internet related legal services over the last 9 years, and I've paid him thousands of dollars to create a single legal document in the past. However, it won't cost you anywhere near that as part of this special offe but if I'm lucky I may earn a few bucks in affiliate referral fees if you decide to take Bob up on his generous Privacy Policy discount offer.
Don't forget...
This quick 2 minute "breaking news" video explains the FTC's new position on website privacy policies.. definitely a "must watch" video for anyone doing business online.
#dirty #ftc #making #move #worried
  • Profile picture of the author RogozRazvan
    This guy is either a big opportunist (nothing bad about that) or he is making this seem a lot worse than it seems in order to push the product.

    I would prefer to hear this from a source that doesn't wants to sell me something. The same level of panic happened a few months ago with the new Google TOS.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9335470].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author ppcmanager
      Originally Posted by RogozRazvan View Post

      The same level of panic happened a few months ago with the new Google TOS.
      And also when Cookie usage related guidelines were introduced in the UK.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9335476].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author RogozRazvan
        Originally Posted by ppcmanager View Post

        And also when Cookie usage related guidelines were introduced in the UK.
        Weren't they introduced in the entire EU at the same time?

        My first thought when this happened was ...

        "Do I have to add a disclaimer to my sites now too?"
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9335740].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Everyone running an online business should have access to legal advice, skills, oversight and documents of some kind.

    It's potentially a huge mistake not to.

    If it helps (it's all indirect/second-hand but maybe it still does?) ... I don't know Bob Silber personally but I know that he's a highly respected member of this forum (though he rarely posts), and I know people who have consulted him. I've heard many very good things about him and never heard anything bad at all. He knows his business, and if you're an internet marketer, he knows yours, from the legal perspective.

    Originally Posted by Snatch View Post

    Just want to know your opininon is that true, or is that another pitch?
    Both, I think.

    (I don't like the email at all; I don't think it's well-written, either, but that isn't actually relevant to what you're asking, here, is it?)

    Anyway, your question isn't an either/or: you shouldn't assume that things "pitched" are "untrue".

    .
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9335482].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      The FTC isn't concerned with your difficulties or problems, as an Internet marketer, in being compliant with their laws, or you making money. Their only concern is protecting the consumer from Websites that violate their regulation by not having the proper disclosures in their Privacy Policy.
      The FTC insists on disclosures to protect the consumer. Nothing new there.

      He is treating FB and Google as if they are part of some FTC crackdown - they aren't. They are watching their own practices to protect THEIR business from violations. He pitches the lawyer because he makes money doing that.

      It is a pitch and probably an effective one - using fear of a known regulatory agency to generate sales of a service promising to "protect" you....
      Signature
      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      Please do not 'release balloons' for celebrations. The balloons and trailing ribbons entangle birds and kill wildlife and livestock that think the balloons are food.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9335522].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
        Between Johnson's scare tactics and ATAC's rant, maybe it's time to invest in tinfoil hat futures...
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9335534].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author HeySal
          Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

          Between Johnson's scare tactics and ATAC's rant, maybe it's time to invest in tinfoil hat futures...
          The FTC is taking bold authoritarian moves. You can just google "FTC Internet policy" and there's PDF's that tell what the rules are. I'm not sure if there's actually a new one out or not - but will be checking. The one they put out a few years back was vague yet comprehensive- unsettling. It was hyped all over the place but if you read actually read it, it made sense. There was room for abuse, but there was some just slimmy scummy promotion going on generally online. People who are foaming at the mouth for money sometimes forget to have some class about getting it and their advertizing methods become obnoxious...and hyped to dishonesty.

          If there is new code - it's going to go after more than just honesty.

          You do realize that it's any shiny metal and not just tinfoil, yes? Any reflective metal ricochets EMS.
          Signature

          Sal
          When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
          Beyond the Path

          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9337170].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author seasoned
            Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

            The FTC is taking bold authoritarian moves. You can just google "FTC Internet policy" and there's PDF's that tell what the rules are. I'm not sure if there's actually a new one out or not - but will be checking. The one they put out a few years back was vague yet comprehensive- unsettling. It was hyped all over the place but if you read actually read it, it made sense. There was room for abuse, but there was some just slimmy scummy promotion going on generally online. People who are foaming at the mouth for money sometimes forget to have some class about getting it and their advertizing methods become obnoxious...and hyped to dishonesty.

            If there is new code - it's going to go after more than just honesty.

            You do realize that it's any shiny metal and not just tinfoil, yes? Any reflective metal ricochets EMS.
            Since I have been here, I don't think I have seen a SINGLE new law that the FTC has put out really. Not ONE! I mean EVEN when they created the do not call registry, and all the internet rules, and the ppp even came to be, they weren't new laws or procedures, but merely codifying or centralizing what was already out there.

            But someone gets caught here, and they complain and try to use it to create another product. They have LOTS of rules! Unlike MOST government agencies, the FTC seems to know their place and are mostly keeping to it.

            Steve
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9337333].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ATAC
    I hate Facbook and I can't afford Google and to hell with the FTC ..

    Facebook and Google are one's to talk....They have been selling all of your info to the USA government for years ..They are the largest provider of images and data to the US government for their facial recognition software which is in use around the world..

    They sold them everything about you and I and our children (if on Facebook) all the way down to your text messages if you have facebook app installed on your phone,
    (Source)
    Here what the New York Times Has To Say
    http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/op...anted=all&_r=0
    And they are going to ban our accounts...??

    Unreal..
    Signature
    This all-in-one marketing platform saves me over $7,000 per year. See how:
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9335502].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by ATAC View Post

      I hate Facbook and I can't afford Google and to hell with the FTC ..

      Facebook and Google are one's to talk....They have been selling all of your info to the USA government for years ..They are the largest provider of images and data to the US government for their facial recognition software which is in use around the world..

      They sold them everything about you and I and our children (if on Facebook) all the way down to your text messages if you have facebook app installed on your phone,
      (Source)
      Here what the New York Times Has To Say
      http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/op...anted=all&_r=0
      And they are going to ban our accounts...??

      Unreal..
      Yeah, Facebook recently lied to a lot of people and created some problems for some stupid "psychological" test! Anger mounts over Facebook’s news feed experiment, company denies wrongdoing | ExtremeTech) And they CLAIM that an adhesion contract covers this. YEAH RIGHT!

      But if you ignore the FTC, you'll be in trouble. Most of what they do DOES make some sense.

      Steve
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9336186].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author nicheblogger75
    This made me laugh more than worry!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9336104].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    YES, Facebook and similar companies are REQUIRED BY LAW to do this sort of thing. If they fail to do so, THEY can become a responsible party! And YEAH, the FTC CAN do this!

    BTW The FTC has NOTHING to do with the internet! They deal with TRADE! That means trade via:

    PHONE
    MAIL
    RADIO
    TV
    IN PERSON
    NEWSPAPERS
    MAGAZINES
    SIGNS
    WINDOWS
    LABELS
    AND YEP, the INTERNET!

    Basically, if you can see, or hear it, they control trade over it. BTW this isn't anything new. They simply got a complaint or somehow happened across the site, and BAM! Of course facebook or google could draw attention to it.

    Steve
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9336178].message }}

Trending Topics