Trade Regulation Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses

The Federal Trade Commission ("FTC" or "Commission") published a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking ("SNPRM") in the Federal Register on March 1, 2024, titled "Trade Regulation Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses" ("Rule"), which requested additional public comment on whether the Commission should revise the title of the Rule, add a prohibition on the impersonation of individuals, and extend liability for violations of the Rule to parties who provide goods and services with knowledge or reason to know that those goods or services will be used in impersonation schemes that violate the Rule. The SNPRM announced the opportunity for interested parties to present their positions orally at an informal hearing. Six commenters requested to participate at the informal hearing. The Commission has decided not to proceed with the SNPRM's proposed means and instrumentalities provision at this time. The purpose of the informal hearing will be to address issues relating to the proposed prohibition on impersonating individuals.