Big Tech Faces FTC Warning Over Censorship & Security

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a strong reminder to major technology companies that they must continue protecting the privacy and data security of American consumers, even as foreign governments push for weaker safeguards. In letters sent to companies including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet, X, and others, FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson warned that censoring U.S. consumers at the request of foreign powers or weakening encryption in response to foreign laws could violate U.S. law. He pointed to concerns over laws like the European Union’s Digital Services Act and the United Kingdom’s Online Safety and Investigatory Powers Acts, which encourage or even require tech companies to censor speech or weaken security measures. Ferguson cautioned that these actions could expose Americans to surveillance, identity theft, and fraud.

The FTC emphasized that regardless of international pressures, companies must honor their promises to consumers under the FTC Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive practices. If a business claims to provide strong encryption but secretly downgrades its protections, that could be considered deceptive and unlawful. Over the past 20 years, the FTC has brought dozens of enforcement actions against companies that failed to protect consumer data. The agency continues its mission to safeguard consumers and urges the public to stay informed about their rights, report fraud, and follow FTC updates for the latest alerts and guidance.