The FTC has ordered Harley-Davidson and generator company MWE Investments to stop voiding customer warranties over repairs. The order covers Harley-Davidson’s motorcycles, Westinghouse outdoor generators, and related equipment, which MWE manufactures. Both companies must remove illegal terms in their warranties that discourage customers from using third-party parts and repair services. The warranties must inform consumers that they can make third-party repairs without affecting their coverage. They also have to proactively notify buyers of their rights and order officially authorized dealers to avoid deceiving customers about the warranty or promoting official parts over third-party ones.
The FTC has been busy – they settled with online merchandiser CafePress over cybersecurity. The company was under allegations that it failed to secure consumers’ sensitive personal data, including Social Security numbers, and covered up a major data breach. The Commission’s order requires the company to bolster its data security and its former owner to pay half a million dollars to compensate small businesses.
On top of that, the company has been ordered to Replace inadequate authentication measures with multifactor authentication methods; minimize the amount of data they collect and retain; encrypt Social Security numbers, and have a third party assess their information security programs and provide the Commission with a redacted copy of that assessment suitable for public disclosure.
And, let’s catch up with the American Data Privacy and Protection Act. Last week I was excited – and this week, it’s looking a little bit grimmer. Let’s quote the Verge on what happened:
Subcommittee members in the House advanced the bill on Thursday with a unanimous vote, even though a couple of Republicans decided a few last-minute changes were needed. Those proposals were ultimately tabled but hinted that the Republicans were potential deal-breaking votes down the line. ADPPA is now headed for a full vote by the Energy and Commerce Committee next month and could see the House floor before August. If it passes there, it faces at least one powerful Senate Democrat who has made it known she’ll let it die on the vine.
The FTC is flexing its muscles, and I think that matters. Policy enforcement is happening, so don’t be dismissive of that. I’ve been covering legislation consistently, and here’s why. Not all of it will hit, it seems, so filtering through everything is an ever-growing part of a provider’s job.