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On March 14, 2026, Rhode Island officials unveiled a series of new consumer protection measures aimed at combatting deceptive advertising practices in the state. The move comes in response to an uptick in complaints from residents about misleading ads and marketing tactics being used by businesses.One of the key components of the new measures is the creation of a dedicated task force within the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation to investigate complaints of deceptive advertising. The task force will have the authority to levy fines and penalties against businesses found to be in violation of the state's consumer protection laws.Additionally, the state announced plans to launch a new public awareness campaign to educate consumers about their rights and how to spot deceptive advertising practices. The campaign will include outreach efforts through social media, online resources, and community events.Rhode Island Attorney General Laura Smith spoke at a press conference about the importance of cracking down on deceptive advertising. "Consumers deserve to have confidence that the products and services they are purchasing are being marketed truthfully and transparently," Smith said. "We are committed to holding businesses accountable for any misleading or false claims they make in their advertising."The announcement was met with support from consumer advocacy groups, who have long been calling for stronger measures to protect Rhode Island residents from deceptive advertising practices. "This is a big win for consumers in our state," said Angela Harris, president of the Rhode Island Consumer Protection Alliance. "By cracking down on deceptive advertising, we can help ensure that consumers are able to make informed choices about the products and services they purchase."Businesses operating in Rhode Island are advised to review their advertising practices to ensure compliance with the state's consumer protection laws. Failure to do so could result in hefty fines and damage to their reputation in the marketplace. Overall, the new consumer protection measures are seen as a positive step towards ensuring a fair and transparent marketplace for residents of Rhode Island. The state government plans to continue monitoring and enforcing these measures to protect consumers from deceptive advertising practices in the future.