COMPANY AGREES TO $2.5 MILLION PENALTY
An alcohol addiction treatment company, by the name of Monument, Inc., allegedly violated the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Opioid Addiction Recovery Fraud Prevention Act of 2018, by misrepresenting on its website that it preserved the confidentiality of its customers’ health and other information when, in actuality, it shared that data with “third parties for advertising or other purposes.”
In early June, a civil complaint filed by the governmen against the company was settled. In addition to a $2.5 million penalty (which was suspended due to the company’s inability to pay), Monument agreed that it will not share or disclose customer information and will take measures to safeguard that data.
By way of a written statement, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, noted that, “Treatment for substance abuse and addiction is highly personal and sensitive, and companies providing such services must be especially vigilant in safeguarding their customers’ information. …. The Justice Department is committed to working with the FTC to protect Americans’ sensitive information.”
Was that a monumental disaster?
# # #