US EditionBrussels and London Partners to U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chair: Get Your Facts Straight
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson warned 13 major tech firms that weakening encryption or censoring Americans under EU and UK laws may breach Section 5 of the FTC Act.
- On Thursday, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson warned major U.S. tech companies in letters not to weaken encryption or free speech protections due to foreign laws.
- Ferguson warned that increasing foreign regulations, such as recent European and British laws targeting online content and safety, may pressure U.S. companies into censorship or reducing security measures.
- He warned that some companies could choose to meet foreign legal demands by restricting American users or permitting greater foreign surveillance, even when such actions are not strictly mandated by law.
- Ferguson wrote to 13 firms including Apple, Meta, and Microsoft that weakening security under foreign demands could violate consumer trust and U.S. law, stating, "protecting American privacy is non-negotiable."
- The FTC's stance implies continued legal accountability to American users despite foreign pressures, highlighting risks of identity theft and harms if companies lower data security measures.
14 Articles
14 Articles
FTC Warns Tech Giants Against Foreign Government Pressure on Privacy, Censorship
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is warning 13 major tech companies that they will be held accountable if they censor Americans or compromise privacy and data protections under pressure from foreign governments. In letters sent on Aug. 21 to some of the largest providers of cloud, social media, messaging, and other online services, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson reminded them of their legal obligations to protect American consumers, regardless o…
Brussels and London Partners to U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chair: Get Your Facts Straight
U.S. Federal Trade Commission chair Andrew Ferguson said tech companies’ attempts to adhere to EU and U.K. digital content rules could breach U.S. law if they weaken privacy and data security protections for American users.
FTC warns tech companies not to weaken encryption, free speech practices for foreign governments
Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson warned U.S. tech companies not to accede to laws in foreign countries that weaken Americans’ free speech or data privacy rights. Specifically, Ferguson cited laws like the European Union’s Digital Service Act and the U.K.’s Online Safety Act as statutes that incentivize U.S. tech companies “to censor speech, including speech outside of Europe.” He said that could lead to heightened surveillance of A…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
