FTC Seeks Comment on Potential Updates to Negative Option Rule

On March 11, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking public comment on whether it should amend its Rule Concerning the Use of Prenotification Negative Option Plans (the Negative Option Rule), which governs certain offers in which a seller interprets a consumer’s silence or failure to take affirmative action as acceptance or continuing acceptance of the offer.

“Negative option subscriptions can offer procompetitive features to consumers and the marketplace more broadly by lowering transaction … Read the rest

Judicial Branch Seeks $9.4 Billion in FY 2026 Budget Request

Two federal judges told Congress that the Judiciary has been negatively affected by two straight years of flat funding in most accounts, and they said a 9.3 percent increase in appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year is needed to ensure that the Judiciary can perform its essential constitutional functions.
Judiciary News – United States CourtsRead the rest

“Tester” Plaintiff Who “Actively Seeks Out Privacy Violations” Lacks Standing to Pursue CIPA Claim

Lawsuits targeting businesses’ use of website tools under the California Invasion of Privacy Act (“CIPA”) increasingly are filed by so-called “tester” plaintiffs.  These plaintiffs seek out websites to “test” for potential CIPA violations and then file lawsuits seeking damages for those alleged violations.  A California federal court recently confirmed that a CIPA plaintiff’s “status as a tester forecloses standing” for a simple reason: a tester “actively seeks out privacy violations” and therefore “cannot claim an injury when her expectations were … Read the rest

Canadian formerly held at Guantanamo seeks to erase terrorism conviction

Canadian formerly held at Guantanamo seeks to erase terrorism conviction

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The Petitions of the Week column highlights a selection of cert petitions recently filed in the Supreme Court. A list of all petitions we’re watching is available here.

The vast majority of criminal cases – 98% of those in federal court, and 95% of those in state court – are resolved through plea bargains. As a condition for pursuing a lesser conviction or shorter sentence, prosecutors may also require someone who pleads guilty to a crime to sign … Read the rest

California man exposed to COVID-19 in prison seeks to contest conditions of confinement

California man exposed to COVID-19 in prison seeks to contest conditions of confinement

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The Petitions of the Week column highlights a selection of cert petitions recently filed in the Supreme Court. A list of all petitions we’re watching is available here.

A petition for a writ of habeas corpus allows someone who is incarcerated to challenge the legality of their custody and seek release from prison. The Supreme Court has “left open” whether a habeas petition can be used to challenge prison conditions, and in answering that question for themselves, the … Read the rest