FTC Settles With Pop-Up Ad Company

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Federal Trade Commission has reached an out-of-court settlement with D Squared Solutions LLC to stop barraging the Internet with pop-up ads. D Squared advertised its software to block the pop-up ads it was transmitting – unsolicited - to users online.

On Nov. 6, 2003, the FTC referred to D Squared’s business practice as a “pop-up spam scam.” Howard Beales, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said: “This is nothing more than a high-tech version of a classic scam. The defendants created the problem that they proposed to solve – for a fee. Their pop-up spam wasted computer users’ time and caused them needless frustration.”

According to the Associated Press, D Squared claimed it could send pop-ups to as many as 135,000 Internet addresses each hour and had a database of 2 billion addresses. The intrusive pop-ups could be sent every 10 seconds.

The software D Squared sold to block the pop-ups it was bombarding users with cost up to $30.

The FTC dropped its civil suit against D Squared in exchange for the company agreeing to stop using the Windows Messenger Service to flood users with pop-ups. D Squared also agreed to halt selling its software that would block the pop-ups.

In addition, D Squared can no longer send online ads that do not provide users with an option not to receive them. The FTC is also going to monitor D Squared through 2009.

D Squared was established by two University of California in San Diego students, Anish Dhingra and Jeffrey Davis. Under the terms of the settlement, Dhingra and Davis did not have to admit wrongdoing and will not face prison time.

In related Federal Trade Commission news, FTC Chairman Timothy Muris announced on Aug. 2 that he is resigning, effective Aug. 15.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult Industry, Override Possible

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More