The gloves are off at the Federal Trade Commission.
The FTC, an independent agency now chaired by one of President Biden’s appointees, is picking fights with Capitol Hill and Big Tech as it looks to assert its influence on crucial tech and privacy issues.
The regulator issued a warning this summer saying it would crack down on companies that misuse consumers’ data. Then last week it said it was “exploring rules to crack down on harmful commercial surveillance and lax data security.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Republican, is worried the FTC is usurping Congress’ role in creating privacy policy.