FTC looking to regulate how Big Tech handles consumer data

The Federal Trade Commission is looking for public input as it mulls new rules on how tech companies handle consumer data. 

In a notice posted in full on its website, the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) is looking for members of the public to suggest how to regulate the way tech companies collect data, use it for commercial surveillance and discriminate via algorithms. 

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Some of the questions posted on the FTC website include, “which practices do companies use to surveil consumers?” “how prevalent is algorithmic discrimination based on protected categories such as race, sex, and age.”

The FTC has scheduled a public hearing on September 8 to hear suggestions and has encouraged citizens to come forward and provide their testimonies on the issue. 

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For Lina M. Khan, the chairwoman of the FTC, this is finally a step that she can make with confidence. With the appointment of Alvaro Bedoya three months ago, Khan finally has the strength needed to push forward with regulations. The decision to issue the ANPR comes after the Commission voted 3-2, with both Republican commissioners opposing the suggested regulation, according to tech news website The Verge.  

“Firms now collect personal data on individuals at a massive scale and in a stunning array of contexts,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan in the release accompanying the notice, “Our goal today is to begin building a robust public record to inform whether the FTC should issue rules to address commercial surveillance and data security practices and what those rules should potentially look like.”

While many members of Congress have been in support of regulating how tech companies operate, it has been slow to act. Most recently, the American Data Privacy and Protection Act cleared the House floor but is likely to face an uphill battle in the Senate.