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We are a global data, analytics and technology company.
−Removed: In the ordinary course of business, we collect, process, transmit and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, proprietary business information and personally identifiable information of consumers, employees and strategic partners.
+Added: In the ordinary course of business, we collect, process, transmit and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, proprietary business information and personal information of consumers, employees and strategic partners.
The secure operation of our information technology networks and systems, and of the processing and maintenance of this information, is critical to our business operations and strategy.
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Insider or employee cyber and security threats are also a significant concern for all companies, including ours.
−Removed: Despite our substantial investment in physical and technological security measures, employee training and contractual precautions, our information technology networks and infrastructure (or those of our third-party vendors and other service providers) are potentially vulnerable to unauthorized access to data, loss of access to systems or breaches of confidential information due to criminal conduct, attacks by hackers, employee or insider malfeasance and/or human error.
+Added: Despite our substantial investment in physical and technological security
+Added: measures, employee training and contractual precautions, our information technology networks and infrastructure (or those of our third-party vendors and other service providers) are potentially vulnerable to unauthorized access to data, loss of access to systems or breaches of confidential information due to criminal conduct, attacks by hackers, employee or insider malfeasance and/or human error.
The techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems are constantly evolving and often are not recognized until launched against a target, or even some time after.
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Although we have developed systems and processes that are designed to protect our data and customer data and to prevent data loss and other security breaches, and expect to continue to expend significant additional resources to bolster these protections, these security measures cannot provide absolute security.
−Removed: In 2017, we experienced a cybersecurity incident following a criminal attack on our systems that involved the theft of personally identifiable information of U.S., Canadian and U.K.
+Added: In 2017, we experienced a cybersecurity incident following a criminal attack on our systems that involved the theft of personal information of U.S., Canadian and U.K.
If we experience additional significant breaches of our security measures, including from incidents that we fail to detect for a period of time, sensitive data may be accessed, stolen, disclosed or lost.
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Strategy and Market Demand Risks
−Removed: Our business has been and may continue to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
−Removed: We face various risks related to health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
−Removed: The COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation efforts by governments to attempt to control its spread have adversely impacted the global economy, leading to reduced consumer spending and lending activities.
−Removed: Our customers, and therefore our business and revenues, are sensitive to negative changes in general economic conditions.
−Removed: We experienced significant revenue declines in several of our markets as a result of COVID-19.
−Removed: We expect that the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operating revenue will continue until health and economic conditions improve.
−Removed: We continue to work with our stakeholders (including customers, employees, consumers, suppliers, business partners and local communities) to responsibly address this global pandemic.
−Removed: We will continue to monitor the situation and assess possible implications to our business and our stakeholders and will take appropriate actions in an effort to mitigate adverse consequences.
−Removed: We cannot assure you that we will be successful in any such mitigation efforts.
−Removed: The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to negatively impact our operations will depend on future developments which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the pandemic, the emergence of new virus variants, new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, outbreaks occurring at any of our facilities, the actions taken to control the spread of COVID-19 or treat its impact, and changes in worldwide and U.S.
−Removed: economic conditions.
−Removed: Further deteriorations in economic conditions, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise, could lead to a further or prolonged decline in demand for our products and services and negatively impact our business.
−Removed: It may also impact financial markets and corporate credit markets which could adversely impact our access to financing or the terms of any such financing.
−Removed: We cannot at this time predict the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting economic impact, but it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
−Removed: To the extent the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business and financial results, it may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks described in this “Item 1A.
−Removed: Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, such as our need to generate sufficient cash flows to service our indebtedness and our ability to protect our information technology networks and infrastructure from unauthorized access, misuse, malware, phishing and other events that could have a security impact as a result of our remote working environment or otherwise.
The failure to realize the anticipated benefits of our technology transformation strategy could adversely impact our business and financial results.
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This initiative is a major undertaking as we replace many of our previous operating systems with cloud-based systems.
−Removed: This complex, multifaceted and extensive initiative is expensive and may cause material unanticipated problems and expenses.
+Added: This complex, multifaceted and extensive initiative is expensive and has caused, and may cause in the future, unanticipated problems and expenses.
If the transition causes errors or adversely impacts system processes, our new systems do not operate as expected, or the data we transition to the cloud changes in a material way, we may have to incur significant additional costs to make modifications and could lose customers and we may suffer reputational harm as a result.
−Removed: Moreover, we may experience issues with customer migration, as many of our customers may not migrate to cloud-based technologies on a timely basis or at all or may choose not to utilize our products and services during and after our transition to cloud-based technologies, which could negatively impact our revenue.
+Added: Moreover, we may experience issues with customer migration, as many of our customers may not
+Added: migrate to cloud-based technologies on a timely basis or at all or may choose not to utilize our products and services during and after our transition to cloud-based technologies, which could negatively impact our revenue.
We cannot assure you that our technology transformation strategy will be beneficial to the extent, or within the timeframes expected, or that the estimated efficiency, cost savings and other improvements will be realized as anticipated or at all.
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Even if the anticipated benefits and savings are substantially realized, there may be consequences, internal control issues or business impacts that were not expected.
−Removed: Our transition and migration to cloud-based technologies may increase our risk of liability and cause us to incur significant technical, legal or other costs.
+Added: Our transition and migration to cloud-based technologies may increase our risk of liability and cause us to incur significant technical, legal, regulatory or other costs.
The loss of access to credit, employment, financial and other data from external sources could harm our ability to provide our products and services.
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and many other markets as well as the contribution of data under proprietary contractual agreements, such as employers’ contribution of employment and income data to The Work Number ® and telecommunications, cable and utility companies’ contribution of payment and fraud data to the National Cable, Telecommunications and Utility Exchange.
−Removed: For a variety of reasons, including concerns of data furnishers arising out of legislatively or judicially imposed restrictions on use, security breaches or competitive reasons, our data sources could withdraw, delay receipt of or increase the cost of their data provided to us.
+Added: For a variety of reasons, including concerns of data furnishers arising out of legislatively or judicially imposed restrictions on use, security breaches or competitive reasons, our data sources could withdraw, delay receipt of or increase the cost of the data they provide to us.
Where we currently have exclusive use of data, the providers of the data sources could elect to make the information available to competitors.
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In 2023, we expect U.S.
−Removed: mortgage market inquiries to decline by more than 20 percent compared to 2021.
−Removed: Any change in the U.S.
−Removed: mortgage market due to a significant change in mortgage inquiries could have a corresponding negative impact on revenue and operating profit for our business, primarily within the Workforce Solutions and USIS operating segments.
+Added: mortgage market originations to decline by approximately 30% compared to 2022.
+Added: Any weakening in the U.S.
+Added: mortgage market resulting in a significant reduction in mortgage originations could have a corresponding negative impact on revenue and operating profit for our business, primarily within the Workforce Solutions and USIS operating
To the extent inflation results in rising interest rates and has other adverse effects upon the securities markets and upon the value of financial instruments, it may adversely affect our financial position and profitability.
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We have long-standing relationships with a number of our customers, many of whom could unilaterally terminate their relationship with us or materially reduce the amount of business they conduct with us at any time.
−Removed: Many of our material customer agreements can be terminated by the customer for convenience on advance written notice, which provides our customers with the opportunity to renegotiate their contracts with us or to award more business to our competitors.
+Added: Many of our material customer agreements can be terminated by the customer for convenience on limited advance written notice, which provides our customers with the opportunity to renegotiate their contracts with us or to award more business to our competitors.
There is no guarantee that we will be able to retain or renew existing agreements, maintain relationships with any of our customers or business partners on acceptable terms or at all, or collect amounts owed to us from insolvent customers or business partners.
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anticipate our competitors’ development of new products, services or technological innovations;
−Removed: and control product quality in our product development process.
+Added: product quality in our product development process.
Our resources have to be committed to any new products and services before knowing whether the market will adopt the new offerings.
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Historically, we have relied, in part, on acquisitions, joint ventures and other alliances to grow our business.
−Removed: Any acquisitions we do complete may not be on favorable terms, may involve greater-than-expected liabilities and expenses, potential impairments of tangible and intangible assets or significant write-offs and the expected benefits, synergies and growth from these initiatives may not materialize as planned.
+Added: Any transaction we do complete may not be on favorable terms, may involve greater-than-expected liabilities and expenses, potential impairments of tangible and intangible assets or significant write-offs and the expected benefits, synergies, revenue and growth from these initiatives may not materialize as planned.
We may have difficulty assimilating new businesses and their products, services, technologies, IT systems and personnel into our operations.
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A number of our federal government contracts have received enhanced scrutiny and media attention due to the sensitive nature of the data we handle and due to the importance of the government programs we support.
−Removed: If we experience another material cybersecurity incident, if public scrutiny and pressure related to government services we support turns negative or if we experience uptime issues or performance problems, our ability to maintain existing or acquire new government contracts may be substantially impacted.
+Added: If we experience another material cybersecurity incident, if public or legislative scrutiny and pressure related to government services we support turns negative or if we experience uptime issues or performance problems, our ability to maintain existing or acquire new government contracts may be substantially impacted.
If our government contracts are terminated, if we are suspended from government work, if the services we provide are no longer needed due to government program change or termination, or if our ability to compete for new contracts is adversely affected, including by our failure to achieve certain government certifications, our business could suffer.
+Added: Our business has been and may continue to be negatively impacted by health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
+Added: We face various risks related to health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks.
+Added: For example, the COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation efforts by governments to attempt to control its spread adversely impacted the global economy, leading to reduced consumer spending and lending activities.
+Added: Our customers, and therefore our business and revenues, are sensitive to negative changes in general economic conditions.
+Added: We experienced significant revenue declines in several of our markets as a result of COVID-19 and we may experience similar revenue declines as a result of future health epidemics, pandemics and similar outbreaks.
+Added: Our reputation and/or business could be negatively impacted by ESG matters and/or our reporting of such matters.
+Added: There is an increasing focus from regulators, certain investors, and other stakeholders concerning environmental, social and governance ("ESG") matters, both in the United States and internationally.
+Added: We communicate certain ESG-related initiatives, goals, and/or commitments regarding environmental matters, diversity, responsible sourcing and social investments, and other matters, on our website, in our filings with the SEC, and elsewhere.
+Added: These initiatives, goals, or commitments could be difficult to achieve and costly to implement.
+Added: For example, in 2021, we announced our commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, the achievement of which relies, in large part, on the accuracy of our estimates and assumptions around the availability and cost of low- or non-carbon based energy sources and technologies, the availability of suppliers that can meet our sustainability and other standards, and other factors.
+Added: We could fail to achieve, or be perceived to fail to achieve, our net zero 2040 commitment or other ESG-related initiatives, goals or commitments.
+Added: In addition, we could be criticized for the timing, scope or nature of these initiatives, goals or commitments, or for any revisions to them.
+Added: To the extent that our required and voluntary disclosures about ESG matters increase, we could be criticized for the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of such disclosures.
+Added: Our actual or perceived failure to achieve our ESG-related initiatives, goals or commitments could negatively impact our reputation or otherwise materially harm our business.
Operational Risks
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We may incur additional costs to remedy the damages caused by these disruptions.
+Added: Our customers' decisioning may be adversely affected if we provide inaccurate or unreliable data, which could adversely affect our financial condition, cause loss of customer trust and contribute to non-compliance with certain laws and regulations.
+Added: Data accuracy is an essential component of data quality and is the foundation of our business model.
+Added: Accurate data increases predictive ability and improves confidence in decisions for our customers.
+Added: Inaccurate or unreliable data could adversely affect customer decisioning and poses reputational, compliance and financial risk to our company.
+Added: Although we have developed internal processes and controls to maintain and continually improve data accuracy, these processes and controls cannot ensure absolute accuracy and the complexity of our technology transformation may introduce additional risk until it is completed.
+Added: We have experienced data accuracy issues, including errors in connection with our technology transformation.
+Added: To date, none of these issues have had a material impact on our operations or financial results.
+Added: However, any future data accuracy issues arising during the technology transformation or otherwise could have a material adverse effect on our business or results of operations, including through the incurrence of additional costs or the loss of customers and harm to our reputation.
If our systems do not meet customer requirements for response time or high availability, or we experience system constraints or failures, or our customers do not migrate to the cloud or modify and/or upgrade their systems to accept new releases of our products and services, our services to our customers could be delayed or interrupted, which could result in lost revenues or customers, lower margins, service level penalties or other harm to our business and reputation.
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In addition, as part of our technology transformation, we are seeking to migrate our customers from traditional data platforms to cloud-based products and services.
−Removed: Many of our customers may not migrate to cloud-based technologies on a timely basis or at all, or may choose not to utilize our products and services during and after our transition to cloud-based
−Removed: technologies.
+Added: Many of our customers may not migrate to cloud-based technologies on a timely basis or at all, or may choose not to utilize our products and services during and after our transition to cloud-based technologies.
If our customers’ timelines prevent them from migrating to cloud-based technologies quickly enough, they will remain on our legacy infrastructure, which could expose them to system availability, response time and performance issues.
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There is intense competition for certain highly technical specialties in geographic areas where we continue to recruit, and it may become more difficult to retain our key employees.
−Removed: If we are not able to hire sufficient employees to support our technology transformation, or to train, motivate, retain and manage the employees we do hire, it could have a material adverse effect on our business operations or financial results.
+Added: If we are not able to hire sufficient employees to support our business, including our technology transformation, or to train, motivate, retain and manage the employees we do hire, it could have a material adverse effect on our business operations or financial results.
Global Operational Risks
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comprised 22% of our total revenue in 2022.
−Removed: As a result, our business is subject to various risks associated with doing business internationally and these risks may differ in each jurisdiction we operate depending on the particular product or service we offer in the jurisdiction.
+Added: As a result, our business is subject to various risks associated with doing business internationally and these risks may differ in each jurisdiction where we operate depending on the particular product or service we offer in the jurisdiction.
In addition, many of our employees, suppliers, job functions and facilities are located outside the U.S.
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• implementation of exchange controls;
−Removed: • geopolitical instability, including terrorism and war, including the evolving situation involving Ukraine and Russia;
+Added: • geopolitical instability, including terrorism and war, including the Russia-Ukraine war;
• foreign currency changes;
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We earn revenue, pay expenses, own assets and incur liabilities in countries using currencies other than the U.S.
−Removed: dollar, including among others the British pound, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the Argentine peso, the Chilean peso, the Euro, the New Zealand dollar, the Costa Rican colon, the Singapore dollar, the Brazilian real, the Russian ruble and the Indian rupee.
+Added: dollar, including among others the British pound, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar, the Argentine peso, the Chilean peso, the Euro, the New Zealand dollar, the Costa Rican colon, the Singapore dollar, the Brazilian real and the Indian rupee.
Because our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S.
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We generally do not mitigate the risks associated with fluctuating exchange rates, although we may from time to time through forward contracts or other derivative instruments hedge a portion of our translational foreign currency exposure or exchange rate risks associated with material transactions which are denominated in a foreign currency.
−Removed: The use of such hedging activities may not offset any or more than a portion of the adverse financial effects of unfavorable movements in foreign exchange rates over the limited time the hedges are in place.
+Added: The use of such hedging activities may not offset any or more than a portion of the adverse financial effects of unfavorable movements in foreign exchange rates over the limited time the hedges are
Accordingly, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly the strengthening of the U.S.
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Consumer MDL Litigation”), and the investigations of the FTC, the CFPB, the Attorneys General of 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico (the “MSAG Group”) and the NYDFS (collectively, the “Consumer Settlement”) relating to the 2017 cybersecurity incident.
−Removed: On January 13, 2020, the U.S.
−Removed: District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (the “MDL Court”) entered an order granting final approval of the settlement in connection with the U.S.
−Removed: Consumer MDL Litigation, from which several objectors appealed.
−Removed: Those appeals have all been resolved.
−Removed: On January 11, 2022, the Consumer Settlement became effective which triggered our obligation to deposit approximately $345 million into the consumer settlement fund.
−Removed: In addition to the monetary payments and consumer redress, we also agreed as part of the Consumer Settlement to implement certain business practice commitments related to consumer assistance and our information security program, including third party assessments of our program.
+Added: The Consumer Settlement became effective on January 11, 2022.
+Added: As part of the Consumer Settlement, we agreed to implement certain business practice commitments related to consumer assistance and our information security program, including third party assessments of our program.
These business practice commitments are extensive and require a significant amount of attention from management.
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In addition, new laws and regulations at the state and federal level are enacted or considered frequently.
−Removed: Examples of such new and evolving laws and regulations include amendments to the FCRA requiring the provision of free credit freezes to consumers, cybersecurity and other requirements promulgated by the New York Department of Financial Services, the CCPA which took effect on January 1, 2020, the California data broker registration requirements that took effect on January 31, 2020, and the CPRA and VCDPA each taking effect on January 1, 2023.
+Added: Examples of such new and evolving laws and regulations include amendments to the FCRA, cybersecurity and other requirements promulgated by the FTC and New York Department of Financial Services, the CCPA which took effect on January 1, 2020, and amendments to which took effect on January 1, 2023, the California data broker registration requirements that took effect on January 31, 2020, the CPRA taking effect on January 1, 2023 and privacy laws in Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut and Utah which have taken, or will take effect, in 2023.
Furthermore, we expect there to be an increased focus on laws and regulations related to our business, including by the current U.S.
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Congress, because of the growing policy concerns in the U.S.
−Removed: with regard to the operation of credit reporting agencies, as well as the collection, use, accuracy, correction and sharing of personal information.
+Added: with regard to the operation of credit reporting agencies, the collection, use, accuracy, correction and sharing of personal information, and the use of algorithms, artificial intelligence and machine learning in business processes.
There are a number of legislative proposals pending before the U.S.
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Compliance with multiple state laws containing varying requirements could be complicated and costly.
−Removed: In Europe, although the GDPR already includes certain provisions relating to the automated processing of personal data, there has also been discussion of new legislative proposals to regulate business use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies which, if enacted, could impose new legal requirements addressing among other issues, privacy, discrimination and human rights.
+Added: In Europe, although the GDPR already includes certain provisions relating to the automated processing
+Added: of personal data, there has also been discussion of new legislative proposals to regulate business use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies which, if enacted, could impose new legal requirements addressing among other issues, privacy, discrimination and human rights.
The specifics of such legislation and the number of jurisdictions that will introduce legislation in this area remain unclear at this time.
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We devote substantial compliance, legal and operational business resources to strive for compliance with applicable regulations and requirements.
−Removed: In the future, we may be subject to significant additional expenses related to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including new laws and evolving interpretations that are difficult to predict, and to investigate, defend or remedy actual or alleged violations.
+Added: In the future, we may be subject to significant additional expenses related to compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including new laws and evolving interpretations that are difficult to predict, and to the investigation, defense or remedy of actual or alleged violations.
Additionally, we cooperate with CFPB supervisory examinations and respond to other state, federal and foreign government examinations of or inquiries into our business practices.
The enactment of new laws and how they are interpreted could impact our business.
−Removed: In particular, legislative activity in the privacy area may result in new laws that are applicable to us and that may hinder our business, for example, by restricting use or sharing of consumer data, including for marketing or advertising or limiting the use of, or otherwise regulating artificial intelligence and machine learning, including the use of algorithms and automated processing in ways that could materially affect our business, or which may lead to significant increases in the cost of compliance.
+Added: In particular, legislative activity in the privacy area may result in new laws that are applicable to us and that may hinder our business, for example, by restricting use or sharing of consumer data, including for marketing or advertising or limiting the use of, limiting our ability to provide certain consumer data to our customers, or otherwise regulating artificial intelligence and machine learning, including the use of algorithms and automated processing in ways that could materially affect our business, or which may lead to significant increases in the cost of compliance.
Any failure by us to comply with, or remedy any violations of, applicable laws and regulations, could result in new costs for our operations, the curtailment of certain of our operations, the imposition of fines and penalties, liability to private plaintiffs as a result of individual or class action litigation, restrictions on the operation of our business and reputational harm.
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The following legal and regulatory developments also could have a substantial negative impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations:
−Removed: • amendment, enactment or interpretation of laws and regulations that restrict the access and use of personal information and reduce the availability or effectiveness of our solutions or the supply of data available to customers;
+Added: • amendment, enactment or interpretation of laws and regulations that restrict the access, sharing and use of personal information and reduce the availability or effectiveness of our solutions or the supply of data available to customers;
• changes in cultural and consumer attitudes in favor of further restrictions on information collection and sharing, which may lead to regulations that prevent full utilization of our solutions;
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The CFPB, which was established under the Dodd-Frank Act and commenced operations in July 2011, has broad authority over our business.
−Removed: This includes authority to issue regulations under federal consumer financial protection laws, such as under FCRA and other laws applicable to us and our financial customers.
+Added: This includes authority to issue regulations under federal consumer financial protection laws, such as under the FCRA and other laws applicable to us and our financial customers.
The CFPB is authorized to prevent “unfair, deceptive or abusive acts or practices” through its regulatory, supervisory and enforcement authority.
−Removed: In 2012, credit reporting companies like us became subject to a federal supervision program for the first time under the CFPB’s authority to supervise and examine certain non-depository institutions that are “larger participants” of the consumer credit reporting market.
−Removed: The CFPB conducts examinations and investigations, and may issue subpoenas and bring civil actions in federal court for violations of the federal consumer financial laws including FCRA.
+Added: The CFPB conducts examinations and investigations, issues requests for information and subpoenas and brings civil actions in federal court for violations of the federal consumer financial laws, including the FCRA.
In these proceedings, the CFPB can seek relief that includes:
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Actions by the CFPB could result in requirements to alter or cease offering affected products and services, making them less attractive and restricting our ability to offer them.
−Removed: Although we have committed resources to enhancing our compliance programs, actions by the CFPB or other regulators against us could result in reputational harm.
+Added: Although we have committed resources to enhancing our compliance programs, actions by the CFPB or other regulators against us could result in financial or reputational harm.
Our compliance costs and legal and regulatory exposure could increase materially if the CFPB or other regulators enact new regulations, change regulations that were previously adopted, modify through supervision or enforcement past regulatory guidance, or interpret existing regulations in a manner different or stricter than have been previously interpreted.
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In addition, it is possible that a resolution of one or more such proceedings could result in reputational harm, liability, penalties or sanctions, as well as judgments, consent decrees or orders preventing us from offering certain features, functionalities, products or services, or requiring a change in our business practices, products or technologies, which could in the future materially and adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.
−Removed: The FCRA contains an attorney fee shifting provision that provides an incentive for consumers to bring individual and class action lawsuits against a CRA for violation of the FCRA, and the number of consumer lawsuits (both individual and class action) against us alleging a violation of the FCRA and our resulting costs associated with resolving these lawsuits have increased substantially over the past several years.
+Added: The FCRA contains an attorney fee shifting provision that provides an incentive for consumers to bring individual and class action lawsuits against a credit reporting agency for violation of the FCRA, and the number of consumer lawsuits (both individual and class action) against us alleging a violation of the FCRA and our resulting costs associated with resolving these lawsuits have increased substantially over the past several years.
Third parties may claim that we are infringing on their intellectual property and we could suffer significant litigation or licensing expenses or be prevented from selling products or services.
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Our intellectual property portfolio may not be useful in asserting a counterclaim, or providing commercial leverage for negotiating a license, in response to a claim of intellectual property infringement.
−Removed: In certain of our businesses we rely on third-party intellectual property licenses and we cannot ensure that these licenses will be available to us in the future on favorable terms or at all.
+Added: In certain of our businesses we rely on third-party intellectual property
+Added: licenses and we cannot ensure that these licenses will be available to us in the future on favorable terms or at all.
Although our policy is to obtain licenses or other rights where necessary, we cannot provide assurance that we have obtained all required licenses or rights.
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Financial Market Risks
+Added: A downgrade in our credit ratings could increase our cost of borrowing under our credit facilities and have an adverse effect on our ability to access the capital markets.
+Added: Credit ratings reflect an independent agency’s judgment on the likelihood that a borrower will repay a debt obligation at maturity.
+Added: The ratings reflect many considerations, such as the nature of the borrower’s industry and its competitive position, the size of the company, its liquidity and access to capital and the sensitivity of a company’s cash flows to changes in the economy.
+Added: A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be changed or withdrawn at any time by the assigning rating agency.
+Added: A downgrade in our credit ratings would increase the cost of borrowings under our commercial paper program, $1.5 billion revolving credit facility and $700.0 million delayed draw term loan, and could limit or, in the case of a significant downgrade, preclude our ability to issue commercial paper.
+Added: If our credit ratings were to decline to lower levels, we could experience increases in the interest cost for any new debt.
+Added: In addition, the market’s demand for, and thus our ability to readily issue, new debt could become further affected by the economic and credit market environment.
Our retirement and post-retirement pension plans are subject to financial market risks that could adversely affect our future results of operations and cash flows.
We have significant retirement and post-retirement pension plan assets and obligations.
−Removed: The performance of the financial markets and interest rates impact our plan expenses and funding obligations.
+Added: The performance of the financial markets and interest rates impact our plan expenses, expected returns, and funding obligations.
Significant decreases in interest rates, decreases in the fair value of plan assets and investment losses on plan assets will increase our funding obligations, and adversely impact our results of operations and cash flows.
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Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.