Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a multi-state coalition urging Congress to allow state attorneys general to enforce airline consumer protections, citing thousands of complaints about refunds, cancellations, and poor customer service, with airlines often citing federal preemption to avoid state intervention. Examples include American Airlines refusing refunds during the pandemic, highlighting the need for stronger penalties and enforcement.
In-house legal teams should review customer-facing agreements such as ticket purchase terms, conditions of carriage, and service contracts for clauses related to refunds, cancellations, and dispute resolution. Specifically, examine refund policy language for clarity and timeliness, cancellation terms for fairness, and any federal preemption clauses that might limit state enforcement. Also review enforcement mechanisms and service level commitments. Consider amending contracts to include explicit state attorney general enforcement rights, clearer refund procedures, and limitations on preemption defenses to align with proposed passenger bill of rights and stronger consumer protections.
Entity
American Airlines
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2022-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-fights-to-protect-airline-customers
naag policy letter airline accountability and increased cons
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2022/naag-policy-letter---airline-accountability-and-increased-consumer-protection-final_38-ags.pdf?rev=b88c82dd82894045a472352700058da8&hash=670E39F23C53D05C89C73FBE5EAAEC69
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
$625K
Connecticut reached a $625,000 settlement with Frontier Communications Parent Inc. over an April 2024 breach in which compromised employee and vendor credentials were used to access internal systems and exfiltrate unencrypted personal information of 58,841 Connecticut residents. The settlement requires Frontier to strengthen its security program, implement specific safeguards and training, and obtain an independent third-party assessment.
$2.6M
Connecticut and New York found that Boston Children’s Health Physicians and its security vendor, XTIUM, failed to use reasonable safeguards, resulting in hackers accessing sensitive personal, medical, and employee information. The companies agreed to pay penalties totaling $2.64 million and implement enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Connecticut joined a coalition of state attorneys general filing a notice in Character Technologies, Inc.’s bankruptcy proceedings, raising concerns about the company’s safety and privacy practices and the sensitive information it holds. The states seek protections for children and consumers if the company’s business or assets are sold or transferred; the filing does not impose a fine or other remedy.
Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman petitioned PURA to review how Connecticut public utilities use artificial intelligence, citing potential data privacy and cybersecurity risks, algorithmic errors, and misleading outputs. The petition asks PURA to examine utility AI systems, safeguards, vendors, and data security practices; it does not report a finding of violation or an imposed penalty.
$2.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a settlement with RZ Smoke, Inc. over allegations that it distributed and sold high-potency cannabis products without a state license. The stipulated judgment is $2 million, with $375,000 payable to the State and $1.6 million suspended to ensure compliance; the company is barred from specified cannabis activities in Connecticut unless licensed.
$13.7M
Connecticut joined a coalition of states and the federal government in settling allegations that Takeda paid healthcare providers speaker honoraria and provided meals to induce prescriptions of Trintellix, leading to allegedly false claims to government healthcare programs. Takeda agreed to pay $13,670,921 plus accrued interest, with portions allocated to federal and state programs.