Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent U.S. federal agency working to protect consumers and promote competition across the American economy. It enforces laws against unfair or deceptive business practices and anticompetitive conduct, while also conducting market studies, issuing policy guidance, and educating businesses and consumers. As the only U.S. federal agency with broad responsibilities for both consumer protection and competition policy, the FTC plays a central role in areas including advertising, privacy, mergers, fraud prevention, and antitrust enforcement. Its work is carried out primarily through the Bureaus of Consumer Protection, Competition, and Economics.