Chapter 30 - Federal Trade Commission

View the PDF of Chapter 30.

Consider transferring antitrust enforcement solely to the Department of Justice, potentially eliminating the FTC's role in this area.
Establish an ESG/DEI collusion task force to investigate firms using these practices as potential covers for anticompetitive activity.
Examine platforms' advertising and contract-making with children as potentially deceptive or unfair trade practices.
Potentially require written parental consent for online platforms' contracts with children.
Institute unfair trade practices proceedings against entities that enter into contracts with children without parental consent.
Establish a distinct role in the FTC Chairman's office focused on state Attorney General cooperation.
Invite state Attorneys General to Washington, D.C. to discuss enforcement policy in key sectors.
Consider returning authority to FTC regional offices.
Develop more sophisticated methods for measuring consumer surplus in online markets.
Be more open to behavioral explanations for how platforms create and maintain market power.
Recalibrate certain aspects of antitrust and consumer protection law and enforcement, particularly in relation to Big Tech and online platforms.
Potentially expand the consumer welfare standard to include factors beyond just price, while maintaining a similar standard of proof for both harm and efficiencies.
Take a more proactive approach to antitrust enforcement, particularly when democratic institutions and free speech may be at risk.
Improve the FTC's ability to predict and understand the behavior of Big Tech companies, going beyond traditional economic theory.