What unlawful practice did the FTC find BJ's Wholesale Club guilty of?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) found BJ's Wholesale Club guilty of unfair practices due to a lack of data encryption during transmission, which is particularly relevant in the context of protecting sensitive customer information. This ruling highlights the importance of using encryption to safeguard data as it moves through networks, reducing the risk of interception by unauthorized parties. The absence of encryption can expose data to significant vulnerabilities, making it more susceptible to breaches and unauthorized access.

This situation serves as a crucial reminder for businesses to implement strong security measures, particularly for sensitive customer data, to ensure compliance with legal standards and protect consumer privacy. The emphasis on encryption reflects broader industry expectations regarding data security practices, which aim to mitigate risks associated with data transmission.