President Trump’s Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking a strong stance against major tech companies. In a series of letters sent out this week, the FTC reminded these companies of their responsibility to protect American privacy, even when faced with pressure from foreign governments.
FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson emphasized that foreign entities pose serious threats to the freedom of expression in the U.S. He pointed out that companies might be censoring American users due to demands from other countries. He warned that some foreign laws could push companies to lower their data security measures, which would harm Americans’ rights to private communication.
The letters were sent to tech giants like Meta, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, and Apple, as well as smaller firms in the messaging and social media sectors. Ferguson stressed that these companies have a legal duty to American consumers under the Federal Trade Commission Act. He made it clear that foreign laws cannot justify breaking this obligation.
Ferguson highlighted ongoing global trends that could threaten American privacy. He mentioned the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which encourages tech companies to censor speech, and the UK’s Online Safety Act, which pushes platforms to remove content deemed illegal. He also noted the UK’s attempts to weaken encryption laws, which would allow law enforcement greater access to user data.
The FTC has been active in protecting consumer privacy for over twenty years, holding companies accountable for failing to keep their data security promises. Ferguson warned that if companies weaken their encryption or security measures due to foreign pressure, they may deceive consumers who expect strong protection of their personal data.
He expressed concern that companies might simplify compliance with foreign laws by censoring American users or allowing increased surveillance, even when not legally required. This could put Americans at risk of identity theft and other harms.
Ferguson also pointed out that companies claiming to provide secure services but failing to use proper encryption may be misleading their customers. If a company weakens its security at the request of a foreign government, it could violate consumer trust and legal standards.
Other companies that received similar warnings included Snap, Signal, X, Discord, Slack, Cloudflare, GoDaddy, and Akamai. The FTC’s message is clear: protecting American privacy is non-negotiable, and tech companies must prioritize the rights of their users over foreign demands.
