Guest Post written by IntegriShield

Coming into 2025, there were a lot of assumptions made based on how the Trump administration executed in the previous term.  Let’s toss all that out the window at this point, but I’m pretty comfortable saying consumer protections will continue, even if they look a little different.  

First, we know and if we are honest, we already knew the federal regulators were overreaching quite a bit which calls into question why we need them or their continued strategy of regulation on top of regulation without guidance.  So regardless of which side you land on the “delete the regulator” agenda, we do need some refinement and deregulation, so businesses can operate, protect their consumers, and avoid regulatory pitfalls.  I’m a small business advocate, and it was getting very difficult for small businesses to comply, let alone keep up with all the regulations coming out.

Second, consumer protections are extremely important.  You can already tell why they are needed because as soon as Trump won, bad actors increased their activity.  Not only do we see that in our data as we monitor for marketing violations at IntegriShield, but the FTC 4th Quarter compliant report shows such a large increase it had not been that high since 2021.  

So how do we prepare?  

Businesses should prepare for a combination of continued enforcement of consumer protections in the federal government and also an increase in regulations and regulatory activity at the state level.  This impacts not only your risk, which some may not see as high currently, but what is happening is almost certainly impacting your bottom line with wasted marketing spend and traffic which does not convert.

Here are several strategies to help your business stay prepared and resilient:

1. Be Informed: Sign up for newsletters and press releases with reliable sources for updates on laws and regulations. The Small Business Administration (SBA) can be invaluable, and their Advocacy office is extremely helpful.  
2. Get Engaged: Industry associations are great sources who offer updates and advocacy to help businesses navigate uncertainty effectively.  
3. Be Nimble: Being nimble is essential for quickly adapting to changes in regulations and jumping on new opportunities.  With a lower risk environment, now would be a good time to test new opportunities and get them refined prior to risk increasing again down the road. 
4. Operational Planning: Conduct planning as part of your strategy, with worst-case scenarios and contingency plans to address potential regulatory changes.  After the 1:1 consent debacle, businesses now know the potential for regulations, either at the federal level or state level.  Consumer protection groups, misguided as they are, will surely continue to push the envelope of saving consumers from themselves.  Look at your technology and ensure you can pivot easily as more restrictions are added.
5. Financial Planning: Regularly review and adjust your financial plans to adapt to shifting circumstances and minimize potential risks.  
6. Record keeping: Regulators tend to allow periods to look back and identify non-compliance in years prior to enforcement.  Keep records showing compliance, including active monitoring and remediation of issues. 

By implementing these strategies, your business can better navigate the uncertainties of 2025 and beyond. 

Author: Gayla Huber, President, ghuber@nullintegrishield.com.

IntegriShield is a leading advocate for compliance solutions in industries around the globe and provides comprehensive solutions to ensure businesses maintain the highest standards of compliance.

Note: This blog was written by our partner, IntegriShield. The content reflects their views and expertise, and we’re excited to share their insights with our audience! For more articles from OPTIZMO, check out our blog.