Sam Brusco, Associate Editor01.31.22
Online contact lens company Vision Path’s Hubble Contacts business has settled with the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for $3.5 million to resolve a U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia lawsuit that alleged violations of the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act and the FTC’s Contact Lens Rule.
Hubble was alleged to have sold contact lenses online without verifying subscribers’ contact lens prescription, improperly substituting Hubble brand lenses for those clinicians had prescribed. The company was also accused of falsely obtaining and showing independent product and service reviews.
$2 million will be paid for consumer redress and $1.5 million for civil penalties.
In addition to the fine, Hubble must refrain from altering prescriptions and verify prescriptions for orders submitted without them. The company must cease other deceptive practices and satisfy recordkeeping, certification, and compliance obligations.
“The Department of Justice will not tolerate the violation of laws intended to ensure that consumers receive the products prescribed for them,” acting assistant attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division told the press. “The department is committed to protecting consumers from companies that engage in deceptive practices.”
“Hubble’s business model boosted its bottom line but created needless risk for its customers’ eye health,” said Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “[This] action makes clear that firms will pay a price for deceiving their customers, flouting the Contact Lens Rule, and using misleading reviews.”
Hubble was alleged to have sold contact lenses online without verifying subscribers’ contact lens prescription, improperly substituting Hubble brand lenses for those clinicians had prescribed. The company was also accused of falsely obtaining and showing independent product and service reviews.
$2 million will be paid for consumer redress and $1.5 million for civil penalties.
In addition to the fine, Hubble must refrain from altering prescriptions and verify prescriptions for orders submitted without them. The company must cease other deceptive practices and satisfy recordkeeping, certification, and compliance obligations.
“The Department of Justice will not tolerate the violation of laws intended to ensure that consumers receive the products prescribed for them,” acting assistant attorney General Brian M. Boynton of the Justice Department’s Civil Division told the press. “The department is committed to protecting consumers from companies that engage in deceptive practices.”
“Hubble’s business model boosted its bottom line but created needless risk for its customers’ eye health,” said Director Samuel Levine of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “[This] action makes clear that firms will pay a price for deceiving their customers, flouting the Contact Lens Rule, and using misleading reviews.”