Circuit court denies TikTok's motion to dismiss, deceptive trade practices lawsuit will continue in Union County

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the Union County Circuit Court denied a motion by TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, to dismiss Griffin’s lawsuit against the social media platform:

“I applaud the court’s decision to allow our lawsuit against TikTok and ByteDance to proceed. This marks the third time this year that a lawsuit I have brought against a social media platform has cleared this important legal hurdle.

“TikTok argued that the court did not have personal jurisdiction over the defendants in this case, that our claims under the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act should fail, and that the claims are preempted. The court rightfully rejected all three arguments.

“Arkansas is leading the way in holding social media platforms accountable for how they represent themselves to customers and the type of content and algorithms they contain. I will continue to stand up for Arkansans and ensure TikTok keeps our private information out of the hands of the Chinese government.”

To read a copy of the court’s decision, click here.

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Arkansas Attorney General sends cease and desist letters to pro-choice organizations

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin sent cease and desist letters to two companies that he says provide abortion pills through the mail. He accused both Aid Access and Choices Women's Medical Center of violating the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

“Abortions are prohibited in Arkansas… consequently abortion pills may not legally be shipped to Arkansas,” Griffin's letters to the two companies read.

He called both groups' business practices “false, deceptive and unconscionable.” Griffin threatened them with a $10,000 civil penalty for each violation and said he would take further action if this was not remedied in 14 days. Griffin said the companies are advertising in Arkansas. Jeff LeMaster a representative for the Attorney General said: "language on both of the companies' websites" is what concerns them. He wants both companies to assuage the AGS concerns in writing.

Arkansas Attorney General sends cease and desist letters to pro-choice organizations

Arkansas AG Tim Griffin says two organizations are shipping abortion pills to Arkansas and advertising in the state.

Attorney General Griffin announces investigation of Change Healthcare, Inc., a unit of UnitedHealth Group, following cyberattack

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that his office is initiating an investigation of Change Healthcare, Inc., a unit of UnitedHealth Group, under the Arkansas Personal Information Protection Act and the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act in light of a February cyberattack:

“I am initiating an investigation into Change Healthcare, Inc., a unit of UnitedHealth Group, to determine whether the confidential medical information of Arkansans was compromised in the late February cyberattack against Change Healthcare and whether any laws were violated. Additionally, my office will look into whether Change Healthcare used reasonable security procedures and practices to protect this information as required by Arkansas law.

“Protecting Arkansans’ personal information and holding organizations accountable for data breaches are two of my responsibilities under Arkansas law.”

The ransomware attack has disrupted billing and healthcare information systems across the country and has threatened hospitals’ ability to care for patients and pay physicians. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced that it will investigate the cyberattack, citing its “unprecedented magnitude.”

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Arkansas sues company accused of not delivering purchased COVID medical supplies

KUAR | By Michael Hibblen

Arkansas is suing a Virginia-based company which Attorney General Leslie Rutledge says was paid nearly $11 million for medical equipment and supplies that were never delivered.

The personal protective equipment and ventilators were bought for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said Wednesday while announcing the consumer protection lawsuit. It alleges Med-Care Health Link, LLC breached contracts with the state and violated the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

“Despite their best efforts, unfortunately both UAMS and the Department of Finance and Administration made very large purchases from unscrupulous characters,” Rutledge said.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/local-regional-news/2021-10-27/arkansas-sues-company-accused-of-not-delivering-purchased-covid-medical-supplies

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announces the lawsuit Wednesday against Med-Care Health Link for equipment purchased by the state for UAMS that was never delivered.