In 2026 DSN readers should learn whether companies operating in the United States have the right to have legal claims brought against them by the federal government determined by courts, rather than through an administrative process designed and operated by the very federal government agency—such as the FTC—which brings the claims.

As regulators examine marketing practices more closely and social media reshapes how independent sellers communicate, companies across the channel are investing more deliberately in compliance leadership.

At the DSA Legal and Regulatory Conference, Lois Greisman, Associate Director of the Division of Marketing Practices at the FTC, delivered remarks that underscored a clear regulatory shift: the FTC’s growing focus on misleading income claims and inadequate disclosures rather than traditional structural pyramid scheme analysis alone.

Direct sales and MLM companies face an evolving landscape of legal and regulatory challenges that impact how they operate, recruit and promote their businesses. Notably, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) continues to modify its playbook in the aftermath of AMG Capital Mgmt., where the Supreme Court limited the commission’s enforcement resources. Below are three external threats companies may face in 2026.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has formally abandoned its nationwide non-compete ban. In a 3-1 vote, the FTC dismissed the non-compete rule which had been previously stalled in August 2024 by a Texas federal court and had yet to officially take effect.

Direct Selling Association CEO Dave Grimaldi urged Federal Trade Commission leadership members to make rules based on data, not assumptions. Grimaldi was participating in a panel discussion hosted by the American Enterprise Institute entitled The FTC at the Crossroads: The Path Forward for Competition and Consumer Protection where senior FTC leadership was in attendance.

A US federal appeals court has overturned the Federal Trade Commission’s “click to cancel” rule. The rule would have made it easier for consumers to cancel subscriptions by requiring companies to provide a straightforward way to cancel subscriptions and recurring charges and would have made it illegal to prevent cancellation through retention offers or long call center wait times.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a settlement with Match Group, the owner of online dating platforms Tinder, Hinge, OKCupid, Match.com, Plenty of Fish and more.

The Negative Option Rule was scheduled to go into effect on May 14. The FTC has now deferred enforcement of the Rule through July 2025.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint for permanent injunction, monetary judgement and other relief against IYOVIA, also known as International Markets Live, Inc. (IML) and IM Mastery Academy Ltd.

The Direct Selling Association (DSA) said it “applauds” the efforts of US Senator John Curtis for raising concerns about the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) recently proposed rules that target the direct selling industry and the small business owners involved in the channel.

What will Republican control mean for the channel? Direct Selling News reached out to thought leaders, industry attorneys, consultants and experts to get their perspective on what may—or may not—happen next during a second Trump administration.