FEDERALhearing transcript

Senate Oversight Hearing: Federal Trade Commission (August 2020)

Original title: OVERSIGHT OF THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

January 1, 2023

Federal Trade Commission Consumer Protection Data Privacy Cybersecurity COVID-19 Scams Oversight

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing establishes the legislative priorities and expectations for the FTC, the primary federal agency responsible for enforcing consumer protection laws and regulating business practices that affect the financial security and privacy of all Americans.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Federal Trade Commission

The agency is subject to congressional oversight regarding its enforcement priorities and operational strategies.

U.S. Consumers

Consumers are the intended beneficiaries of the FTC's enforcement actions against fraud, privacy violations, and deceptive business practices.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2023.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held an hearing on August 5, 2020, to review the activities and priorities of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The discussion focused on the agency's role in protecting consumers from fraud, data privacy risks, and emerging scams related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Facts

The hearing took place on August 5, 2020, in the Russell Senate Office Building.
The FTC was established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act.
The FTC's primary mandate includes protecting consumers from unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent business practices.
The Commission is tasked with protecting consumer data privacy and security.
The agency is responsible for combatting deceptive advertising and illegal robocalls.
The hearing addressed the rise in COVID-19-related scams and exploitation of increased internet usage during stay-at-home orders.
The Commission conducts consumer education to prevent identity theft, phishing, and cybercrime.
All five FTC Commissioners (Simons, Phillips, Chopra, Slaughter, and Wilson) provided testimony.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary purpose of the Federal Trade Commission?

The FTC is the nation's primary consumer protection agency, responsible for preventing unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent business practices.

What specific issues did the Senate discuss regarding the FTC in August 2020?

The committee discussed data privacy, cybersecurity, deceptive advertising, illegal robocalls, and the agency's response to scams emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why It Matters

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