FTC Chair Warns Tech Firms Against Weakening US Data Security

Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson has issued warnings to more than a dozen major U.S. technology companies, including Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Meta, cautioning them against complying with foreign laws that could weaken data privacy protections or lead to censorship of American users. He specifically criticized the European Union's Digital Services Act and the United Kingdom's Online Safety Act and Investigatory Powers Act for pressuring companies to censor speech and potentially weaken encryption, which could expose Americans to increased surveillance, identity theft, and fraud. Ferguson expressed concern that companies might adopt the most restrictive policies globally to simplify compliance, thus harming American free speech and privacy rights, even when foreign governments' requests do not legally require such measures. The FTC chair's letters emphasize that yielding to foreign governments' demands risks violating U.S. law and eroding Americans' digital freedoms. This stance highlights ongoing tensions between U.S. regulatory interests and international efforts to regulate online content and security. Ferguson's warnings come amid broader discussions about balancing global internet governance with protecting American civil liberties online.