'Brain Training' Program Lumosity Charged $2 Million To FTC For Deceptive Advertising

First Posted: Jan 11, 2016 06:47 PM EST
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The company Lumosity, an online tool created by scientists that allegedly helped nourish the brain and protect it from "decline and deterioration," paid $2 million to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for their misleading statements regarding the effects on their products.

The company's advertisements, which were broadcast on numerous channels, including Internet, radio and television, claimed that it's "brain training" programs could help people improve cognitive function. 

The company claimed to have worked with over 100 researchers coming from all over the world to create 50 games that boosted brain power and that were tested on 4,715 people--even making the claim that the games could help fight cognitive deterioration. 

"Lumosity preyed on consumers' fears about age-related cognitive decline.... But Lumosity did not have the science to back up its ads," said Jessica Rich, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the FTC, in a news release.

Still, in a letter on its website addressed to members, Lumosity said the settlement "does not speak to the rigor of our research or the quality of our products. We proudly stand behind the Lumosity product that millions of our members train with each month."In a letter on its website addressed to members, Lumosity said the settlement "does not speak to the rigor of our research or the quality of our products. We proudly stand behind the Lumosity product that millions of our members train with each month."

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