Internext 2014 - Legal Session - Consumer Protection
 

I still have some bugs to work out with livestream, but I had a camcorder this morning for back up and for editing HD video later... so here is the camcorder version of today's legal workshop, part one, on YouTube: http://youtu.be/sRg3BAO-u6A

In the video: Corey Silverstein and Lawrence Walters describe potential problems for affiliates as well as sponsors/adult dating site operators on consumer protection grounds - the best defense is avoiding false advertising, understanding what the FTC is focusing on in regards to virtual profiles (x number of hot girls in zip code xxxxx want to date you now). Standard practices in the industry are likely to get you into legal jeopardy. Advice given on how to handle being a target of the FTC's CIDs ""civil investigative demands", etc.

I've just uploaded more legal session video - this time from today's seminar, "Legal Issues Facing Online Adult Professionals": http://youtu.be/v-jLtz-p-DQ

I apologize for missing the opening. I got too focused on trying to work out the bugs with our livestreaming gear and I haven't quite navigated the time zone change, but I also apparently mixed up the start time despite being told the correct time at least once.

It is clearly time for many of us to end any "deceptive practices" we employ, that the FTC has announced they are going after. We should strive for honest, transparent representation of the products we are offering to consumers.

Hidden charges and fake profiles are now the most objectionable part of what the public sees our industry being about, and we can fix that, or I can for any set of new sites that I start now. Clearly the message is more alarming to people who are relying on white label dating that obviously misrepresents what is being sold.

I've been out of the business in a meaningful way for many years and with this guidance and these changes afoot it seems possible to begin to build new trust with consumers that matches their growing acceptance of our content on moral and aesthetic grounds.