As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes embedded in daily life, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has signaled it has no immediate plans to implement AI-specific rules. In this episode, consumer protection attorney Anthony DiResta analyzes recent statements by FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Chris Mufarrige and compares the agency's current enforcement outlook with past regulatory actions. According to Mr. DiResta, the FTC appears focused on targeting bad actors, rather than the technology they are using, and avoiding the pursuit of rules that could slow AI industry growth. That shift is evident in the commission's case against AI writing assistant Rytr, which alleged review generation abuses but was set aside for lack of evidence of actual consumer harm. The outcome aligns with the White House AI Action Plan's emphasis on avoiding regulatory overreach. Overall, Mr. DiResta concludes, AI use that misleads consumers or violates existing laws will still draw federal scrutiny, but the FTC is signaling a more supportive posture toward technological innovation.

Online reviews are critical to developing consumer trust, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has signaled it's ready to track down anyone trying to manipulate such reviews. Consumer protection attorney Anthony DiResta breaks down the FTC's latest warning letters targeting potential violations of the consumer review rule, an enforcement move that puts online reviews and testimonials at the center of attention. This episode also explains what the rule covers, from fake "verified" experiences and undisclosed insider reviews to incentivized ratings and suppression of negative feedback, and why the FTC is now shifting from education to action. With civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation and industries spanning e-commerce, hospitality, beauty, wellness and technology potentially exposed, Mr. DiResta recommends businesses and their advisors take proactive compliance steps now to avoid regulatory scrutiny later. This conversation is a timely road map for companies as they audit current marketing practices and tighten incentive programs to protect consumer trust and avert formal investigations or lawsuits.

In this episode of "Clearly Conspicuous," consumer protection attorney Anthony DiResta breaks down why social media advertising has become a top Federal Trade Commission (FTC) priority for 2026 and how long‑standing consumer protection rules against deception and unfairness apply to today's influencer-heavy and algorithm-driven marketing. He explains how brands use social platforms to leverage trust, reduce consumer resistance to ads and benefit from algorithmic amplification while increasing legal risk when sponsorships aren't clearly disclosed or when responsibility is spread across brands, creators, agencies and platforms. Mr. DiResta also outlines the FTC's expectations for businesses utilizing online advertising, as put forth in its Endorsement Guides. He concludes by highlighting why companies must have a real social media compliance program with policies, training, monitoring and corrective action going into 2026.