The two Republican commissioners on the five-member Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Melissa Holyoak and Andrew Ferguson, have expressed concerns about the direction and pace of FTC Chair Lina Khan’s initiatives. While they agreed with the majority on launching an inquiry into “surveillance pricing,” which examines the use of consumers’ browser history and other data for personalized pricing, they are wary of the rapid rate of rulemaking and study undertakings.
Both commissioners particularly emphasized the potential impact of this accelerated regulatory approach on the FTC’s other responsibilities and its obligations to Congress and stakeholders. Ferguson noted, “Many of these rules are unlawful, and the pace of rulemaking is quickening as we approach the presidential election.” Further details on their statements can be found in the documents released by Holyoak and Ferguson.
This development sheds light on internal disagreements within the FTC regarding the scope and speed of regulatory changes under Khan’s leadership. For a more comprehensive insight into this evolving narrative, the details can be accessed here.