What is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and what authority does it have over this matter?
The FTC is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act. Its principal mission is “consumer protection” and the elimination and prevention of harmfully “anti-competitive” business practices. The FTC is “empowered and directed” to investigate and prosecute violations of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive practices. Using this authority, the Commission has brought a number of cases to enforce the promises in privacy statements, including promises about the security of consumers’ personal information. The Commission has also used its unfairness authority to challenge information practices that cause substantial consumer injury.
