A Russian decree issued this week allows that country’s government to forcibly take over private businesses – whether Russian or foreign-owned – if deemed necessary to secure critical infrastructure

by Alexander Marchenko and Vasilisa Strizh at Morgan Lewis

Meta to Pay Up to $18B Over Social Media’s Impact on Young Users’ Mental Health

Consider writing about:

A multibillion-dollar settlement reached by Facebook over its social media platforms’ alleged harms to young users; new safety features that are mandated under the settlement, or that are already being rolled out; independent oversight role under the Meta settlement; how the settlement money will be used; whether other noteworthy cases regarding social media platforms’ effects on young users are still pending (and/or how the Meta settlement affects those other cases); how other tech companies are responding to the Meta settlement.

Related information:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/meta-reaches-17-billion-settlement-with-states-in-landmark-trial-over-teen-social-media-addiction

FTC Sues Telehealth Provider Hims & Hers Over Variety of Practices

Consider writing about:

A recent lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission against telehealth provider Hims & Hers; data privacy, billing, and subscription practices at the heart of this case; alleged violations of the FTC Act and the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act; related FTC enforcement trends or other FTC actions involving the telehealth industry; what to know about consumers’ privacy rights regarding their health information; practical takeaways for other companies from the FTC’s lawsuit against Hims & Hers.

Related information:

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/07/ftc-states-act-against-hims-hers-deceptive-unlawful-privacy-practices

Takeaways From Drug Manufacturer’s $46M Settlement Agreement

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An agreement by a North Carolina-based drug manufacturer to pay more than $46 million to resolve kickback allegations; what stands out to you about the Veloxis Pharmaceuticals case and the resulting deferred prosecution agrement; what pharmaceutical companies should know about their obligations under the Open Payments Program (aka the Physician Payments Sunshine Act) and related enforcement trends and liability risks, whether specifically involving the Sunshine Act or, more broadly speaking, involving the False Claims Act, alleged healthcare fraud, and whistleblower activity; how companies may be able to minimize legal fallout after the fact in cases of this type.

Related information:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/veloxis-pharmaceuticals-agrees-pay-over-46m-resolve-criminal-and-civil-liability-kickback

Deloitte to Pay $21M to Settle Federal Probe of DEI Practices

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Deloitte’s agreement to pay $21.5 million to settle Trump administration claims that the accounting firm discriminated against employees and job applicants on the basis of race or sex; what to know about the U.S. Department of Justice’s allegations against Deloitte; how the False Claims Act applies in this case; how this case compares to other instances of the Trump administration pursuing companies over their DEI practices and policies; how other companies can best prepare for similar scrutiny of their own hiring and employment practices.

Related information:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/deloitte-agrees-pay-215m-resolve-alleged-employment-discrimination-violations

Will AI Tool’s Transcript Hold the Key to Gender Bias Lawsuit’s Outcome?

Consider writing about:

Legal fallout from an employee termination session that was captured and disseminated by an AI tool. The related gender discrimination lawsuit against an East Coast engineering firm has been attracting attention for what sounds like a classic “oops!” moment on the employer’s part. What can other employers learn from the allegations in this case as regards their own termination procedures, employee meetings, AI’s use by managers, and the use of AI notetaker tools in particular?

NLRB Sides With Whole Foods Over ‘Black Lives Matter’ Employee Messaging

Consider writing about:

A recent decision by the National Labor Relations Board that Whole Foods was within its rights to bar workers from displaying “Black Lives Matter” messages on their clothes or accessories; basis for the NLRB’s ruling; practical takeaways for other employers in relation to their own dress codes and disciplinary practices.

Related information:

https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/6007748-nlrb-whole-foods-blm-ruling