Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914, with the mission to protect consumers by promoting fair competition in the marketplace. The FTC works towards preventing deceptive, unfair, and anticompetitive business practices that may harm consumers or limit market competition.

The FTC enforces various federal laws designed to protect consumers and maintain competitive markets, such as the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in commerce. The commission investigates and takes legal actions against individuals, companies, and organizations engaging in activities that violate these laws. It also conducts studies and collects data to identify emerging consumer protection issues, educates consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities, and develops policies and guidelines to address evolving challenges in the marketplace. The FTC has jurisdiction over a wide range of industries and sectors, including advertising, privacy and data security, identity theft, telemarketing fraud, and more. Overall, the FTC plays a crucial role in safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring a fair and competitive marketplace in the United States.