Online Privacy and Security

In July 2024, the company behind NGL, an anonymous messaging app, agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle charges that the company deceived its customers. The FTC urges affected NGL customers to apply for a refund before April 6, 2026.

With so many kids spending time online — gaming, texting, and connecting with friends — parents need tools to help kids make good decisions and stay safe. The FTC has free resources with practical advice to empower parents and caregivers to talk with kids about their privacy and safety online. And this week the FTC will host an Age Verification Workshop to explore whether technology can help.

Identity theft can happen anytime, to anyone. In fact, last year, more than a million people reported identity theft to the FTC. So, being ready to spot identity theft — and deal with it if it happens — can make a big difference.