In light of Facebook’s proposed acquisition of WhatsApp, FTC staff has notified the companies about their obligations to protect the privacy of their users. The letter notes that they must get permission from WhatsApp subscribers before making any material changes to how they use data already collected from them. They also must not misrepresent the extent to which they maintain the privacy of subscribers’ information. In 2011, Facebook settled FTC charges that it deceived its users by failing to keep its privacy promises.

Two companies have agreed to settle FTC charges that they misrepresented the security of their mobile apps and put the sensitive personal information of millions of people at risk. The FTC alleged that, despite their security promises, Fandango and Credit Karma failed to take reasonable steps to secure their mobile apps, leaving people’s sensitive personal information vulnerable to attackers who could intercept any of the information the apps sent or received. This type of attack is especially dangerous on public Wi-Fi networks like those at coffee shops, airports and shopping centers.

The FTC charged the operators of the website "Jerk.com" with harvesting personal information from Facebook to create profiles for more than 73 million people, including children, that labeled people a “Jerk” or “not a Jerk.” According to the FTC’s complaint, Jerk, LLC and its operator, John Fanning, violated federal law by misrepresenting that users created all the content on the site and by falsely claiming that people could change their online profiles for a $30 fee. Jerk.com profiles allegedly often appeared in search engine results.

The FTC has settled a complaint against a home security company that illegally called millions of people on the National Do Not Call Registry to pitch home security systems. According to the FTC, Versatile Marketing Solutions bought phone numbers from lead generators who claimed those consumers had given Versatile permission to contact them. They hadn’t. The lead generators used illegal ways – robocalls, fake surveys and calls to phone numbers on the Registry – to compile their lists.

The FTC charged two leading suppliers of propane exchange tanks used in BBQ grills and patio heaters with illegally working together to reduce the amount of propane in each container. The FTC’s administrative complaint alleges Blue Rhino and AmeriGas colluded to reduce the propane level in each tank from 17 to 15 pounds, without lowering the wholesale price paid by Walmart. According to the FTC, Blue Rhino and AmeriGas secretly agreed that neither would deviate from their proposal to Walmart to reduce the fill level. Walmart eventually accepted the tanks with less propane. The case is headed to administrative litigation.

The FTC has released its 2013 Annual Highlights, describing the agency’s work to protect consumers and promote competition during the past calendar year. In celebration of its 100th anniversary, the FTC will host a public symposium on Nov. 7 in Washington that will feature keynote addresses and panel discussions examining both the Commission’s history and its future.

The operators of a business opportunity scheme have agreed to settle FTC charges that they defrauded people who bought their work-at-home program. Under the settlement, Ben and Dave’s Consulting Associates, Inc., and David Clabeaux, the defendants behind The Online Entrepreneur, are banned from selling business and work-at-home opportunities. Their scheme purportedly would help buyers set up their own websites. The scammers promised buyers that they could earn a significant income in commissions by marketing their sites as affiliates of well-known companies like Prada, Sony, Louis Vuitton and Verizon.