The Lumosity mobile app program consists of 40 games purportedly designed to target and train specific areas of the brain. The settlement resolves allegations the company actively deceived consumers with unfounded claims that Lumosity games can help users improve cognitive performance, reduce or delay cognitive impairment and produce better results at work or school.
“Lumosity preyed on consumers’ fears about age-related cognitive decline, suggesting their games could stave off memory loss, dementia and even Alzheimer’s disease,” said FTC director of the bureau of consumer protection Jessica Rich. “But Lumosity simply did not have the science to back up its ads.”
The brain-training program has been widely promoted through ads on TV and radio channels, including CNN, Fox News, the History Channel, National Public Radio, Pandora, Sirius XM and Spotify.
Lumos Labs, the founding company behind Lumosity, will pay $2 million in redress. Under settlement terms, the company must notify subscribers of the FTC action and provide them with a simple way to cancel their auto-renewing service to avoid future billing.
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