Blog
Lina Khan’s tenure as FTC Chair highlights need for reform of the agency
Three years ago, today, President Biden nominated Lina Khan to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Senate confirmed Khan as a commissioner later in…
National Review
SNAP Back to Reality: Why the FTC Needs a Broader View of the Kroger-Albertsons Case
The FTC’s court losses under Lina Khan’s leadership have a common theme: word games. In nearly every antitrust case it brings, the agency defines relevant markets…
Cato Institute
Is the Federal Trade Commission Serious about Premerger Notification?
The 1976 Hart–Scott–Rodino (HSR) Antitrust Improvements Act requires certain firms that are pursuing a merger to submit a Premerger Notification and Report Form, also called an HSR…
News Release
CEI Congratulates Andrew Ferguson and Melissa Holyoak on confirmation as FTC commissioners
The United States Senate confirmed Andrew Ferguson and Melissa Holyoak to terms as commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by voice vote. Holyoak was an…
Commentary
Truth on the Market
“Kroger/Albertsons: Is Labor Bargaining Power an Antitrust Harm?”
ICLE’s Brian Albrecht casts doubt on the FTC’s view of labor markets in the agency’s challenge to the Kroger/Albertsons merger.
Real Clear Markets
“Lina Khan Isn’t Qualified to Define Market Competition”
Charles Sauer, president of the Market Institute, provides a reality check for the FTC’s current Chair.
American Action Forum
“FTC’s COVID-19 Grocery Supply Chain Study Taught Us…Nothing”
Fred Ashton from the American Action Forum explains why the FTC’s recent report provides little reason to resurrect antitrust enforcement under the Robinson-Patman Act.
Real Clear Markets
“The FTC’s Investigation of Reddit Underscores a Scattered, Wrathful Khan”
Juan Londoño with Taxpayers Protection Alliance explains why FTC Chair Lina Khan’s agenda will hamper small companies and new technologies, not help them.
Daily Caller
“Against Khanservatism”
Tom Hebert with Americans for Tax Reform dispels the notion that there is broad conservative support for FTC Chair Lina Khan’s agenda.
Real Clear Markets
“The Federal Trade Commission vs. Cutting Edge Innovation”
Dr. James Edwards from the Committee for Justice explores how the current FTC often views the assertion of intellectual property rights as antitrust violations.
The Hill
“Department of Justice Is Best Choice to Police AI Competition”
Curt Levey, president of the Committee for Justice, explains why the FTC is unfit to regulate competition in the AI industry.
ITIF
“Why Labor Monopsony Shouldn’t Be Included in Merger Guidelines”
Trelysa Long with the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation discusses the problems with including labor market monopsony in the new Merger Guidelines.
About Eye on FTC
Over nearly a century of independence, the Federal Trade Commission operated with broad, sometimes open-ended legal standards to police competition. During the past forty years, the agency sought to optimize consumer welfare in its analysis. No longer is this the case. FTC Chairman Lina Khan has taken issue with numerous industries, trade practices, and regulatory norms. Her expansive view of the agency and the public interest clashes with established practices, the law, and what is best for consumers. At the Competitive Enterprise Institute, we believe no industry is safe from this regulator’s abuse of power and that consumers are in jeopardy. We seek to spotlight agency overreach to help inform legislators, and, ultimately, to restore the agency’s core mission of protecting consumer welfare.
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EVENTS
A comprehensive list of FTC-related policy events at the FTC, CEI, and outside organizations.
VIDEO: "Fireside Chart with FTC Chair Lina Khan"
The Federalist Society hosted a fireside chat with FTC Chair Lina Khan on November 10 as part of its 2023 National Lawyers Convention.
VIDEO: Fireside Chat with Former FTC Chairs
The Federalist Society hosted a fireside chat with former FTC Chairs Tim Muris and Maureen Ohlhausen on December 1, 2023.
Informal Hearing on Proposed "Click to Cancel" Rule
January 16, 2024 - The FTC will hold a virtual informal hearing on the agency's proposed "click to cancel" rulemaking.
"Assessing Today's FTC"
January 18, 2024 - The American Action Forum will host event to discuss the future of the FTC and the potential impacts on consumers and business.
FTC to Host Virtual Summit on Artificial Intelligence
January 25, 2024 - The FTC's Office of Technology will host a virtual event on discuss developments in AI.
"The DOJ-FTC 2023 Merger Guidelines: Evolution or Revolution"
January 31, 2024 - The Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) will host a webinar to discuss the new merger guidelines.
Special Open Commission Meeting on Rule to Ban Noncompetes
April 23, 2024 - The FTC will hold a special Open Commission Meeting virtually at 2pm ET to vote on a proposed rule banning noncompete clauses in employment contracts.
Past Events on the Federal Trade Commission
Requests for Comment
Notices for Requests for comment from the Federal Trade Commission
FTC proposes updates to its Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA)
The Federal Trade Commission announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to update its Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA) on December 20, 2023.
Read MoreFTC Proposes Rule to Ban Junk Fees
FTC and DOJ Seek Comment on Draft Merger Guidelines
The FTC and DOJ released their long awaited draft of the updated merger guidelines. Comments are due September 18, 2023.
Read MoreFTC and Department of Justice Propose Changes to HSR Form
FTC Announces Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for a "Click to Cancel" Option for Subscription and Membership Services
The FTC announced a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend the Negative Option Rule to include a “click to cancel” provision.
Read More"FTC Seeks Comment on Business Practices of Cloud Computing Providers that Could Impact Competition and Data Security"
Comment period closes on May 22, 2023.
Read MoreFinal Rule Announcements
A list of recent final rule announcements from the Federal Trade Commission.
Procedures for Review of Final Civil Sanctions Imposed Under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act
Final Rule, “Procedures for Review of Final Civil Sanctions Imposed Under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act,” effective October 4, 2022. |
Adjudications & Settlements
Administrative adjudications from the Federal Trade Commission.
FTC Announces Three Right-to-Repair Cases: Do Your Warranties Comply with the Law?
Adjudications, “FTC Announces Three Right-to-Repair Cases: Do Your Warranties Comply with the Law?” July 7, 2022.
Read MoreEpic Games Agrees to Pay $275 Million Penalty
December 19, 2022 – Fortnite creator, Epic Games, agrees to settlement with FTC over allegations that the video game developer violated children’s privacy law.
Read MoreNews & Announcements
Recent news and announcements from the FTC.
FTC Proposes Blanket Prohibition Preventing Facebook from Monetizing Youth Data
The FTC requests $160 million budget increase for FY 2024
March 13, 2023 – The FTC submitted its budget request to Congress, seeking $590 million for FY 2024. This is an increase of $160 million above FY 2023.
Read More