Connecticut Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 14 attorneys general in demanding that Facebook disclose whether members of the 'Disinformation Dozen' were granted XCheck protections, which allow users to bypass enforcement rules. The coalition seeks information on the extent of anti-vaccine content from whitelisted users and complaint outcomes.
Facebook is required to provide detailed information about its XCheck program, including whether specific individuals received whitelist protections, the amount of anti-vaccine content from such accounts, and user complaint resolutions.
In-house legal teams should review vendor and customer agreements with Facebook (Meta), particularly those involving content moderation, advertising, or platform access. Focus on clauses related to enforcement consistency, user exemptions, rule application transparency, and complaint resolution processes. Specific clauses to examine include those governing content takedown procedures, account suspension/restoration, special access programs (like whitelisting), and representations about equal enforcement. Changes may be needed to require disclosure of any whitelisted accounts or preferential treatment, ensure enforcement rules apply uniformly, and add audit rights to monitor compliance with stated moderation policies.
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Also known as: Meta
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Social MediaOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2021-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-seeks-answers-on-facebook-xcheck-protections-for-disinformation-dozen
facebook xcheck letter final signed oct 13 2021.pdf?rev=734c
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2021/facebook-xcheck-letter-final-signed-oct-13-2021.pdf?rev=734c990652e64966a7d5adab5dfe3c2b&hash=F3B353EF77DC44755AA8960B78339B66
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
The New Jersey Attorney General announced an investigation into how the personal information of millions of Facebook users was harvested and obtained by Cambridge Analytica, a UK-based data analytics company. The AG expressed concern that Facebook may have allowed the harvesting and monetization of user data despite promises to keep it secure.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of states and local governments in filing suit against NHTSA over its rule weakening fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. The lawsuit alleges the rule violates the agency’s statutory mandate and the Administrative Procedure Act; no penalty or final remedy is reported.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition suing the EPA over its repeal of greenhouse gas pollution limits for power plants and separately filed a notice of intent to sue over regulation of existing gas plants. The coalition asks the court to overturn the repeal and restore the protections; the release reports no monetary penalty or final order.
$400.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $400 million settlement with Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. resolving allegations that the generic drug manufacturers conspired to inflate prices, limit competition, and restrain trade. The settlement includes consumer restitution and injunctive reforms; court approval was being sought.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing a DHS rule that allows certain affirmative asylum applications to be referred to removal proceedings without an asylum officer interview. The coalition argues the rule violates federal law and harms asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children; this was a policy opposition letter, not a privacy enforcement action.
Connecticut and Massachusetts co-led a coalition protest urging FERC to reject the proposed NextEra Energy-Dominion Energy merger. The coalition argued that the merger could increase market power and threaten energy affordability, reliability, and competition; the release does not report a final enforcement decision or penalty.