---
title: "FTC Targets Publishers Clearing House \"Dark Patterns\" in Sweeping Order"
date: 2023-07-19T00:00:00-04:00
author: "hilary@usesharepoint.com"
canonical_url: "https://www.kelleydrye.com/viewpoints/podcasts/ad-law-access/ftc-targets-publishers-clearing-house-dark-patterns-in-sweeping-order"
section: Podcast Episodes
---
# FTC Targets Publishers Clearing House ​“Dark Patterns” in Sweeping Order

 July 19, 2023 | 9 min

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [Kelley Drye Ad Law Access Podcast](https://soundcloud.com/adlawaccess "Kelley Drye Ad Law Access Podcast") · [FTC Targets Publishers Clearing House "Dark Patterns" in Sweeping Order](https://soundcloud.com/adlawaccess/ftc-targets-publishers "FTC Targets Publishers Clearing House "Dark Patterns" in Sweeping Order")

 [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ftc-targets-publishers-clearing-house-dark-patterns/id1457734764?i=1000621670229) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/2qnbJ56OOnbzd1A0luCglK?si=576aa44e287d4f3a) [SoundCloud](https://soundcloud.com/adlawaccess/ftc-targets-publishers?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing) 

 

Yesterday, the FTC announced an $18.5 million settlement with Publishers Clearing House (PCH), a marketing company known for using sweepstakes to sell magazine subscriptions. In its 52-page complaint, the FTC alleges PCH used purported ​“dark patterns” to promote product purchases, failed to disclose total costs, misrepresented its privacy practices, and used misleading email headers in violation of Section 5 and the CAN-SPAM Act. The order prohibits the company from making specific misrepresentations regarding sweepstakes entries, includes mandatory disclosure requirements, and requires consumer data deletion, among other provisions.

 

 

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