Decoder with Nilay Patel Recode Decode: FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter
Sep 30, 2019
Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, FTC Commissioner and former chief counsel to Senator Chuck Schumer, dives into the pressing antitrust issues plaguing the tech industry. She critiques the FTC's penalties, highlighting her concerns about the $5 billion Facebook fine. Slaughter discusses the ongoing investigations into YouTube and the limits of corporate accountability. She also reflects on tech mergers during the Obama era and why a new internet regulatory agency isn't necessary, offering a deep look at the balance between enforcement and innovation in a rapidly evolving sector.
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Past FTC Leniency
- Past FTC actions against tech companies, like Google, were criticized for being too lenient.
- This perceived leniency led to missed opportunities for impactful intervention.
2011 Facebook Decree
- The 2011 Facebook consent decree aimed to prevent data sharing beyond user permissions.
- It aimed to stop Facebook from misrepresenting data usage to users.
Triggers for FTC Investigations
- Various sources, like news reports, complaints, and state attorneys general, can trigger FTC investigations.
- Companies under order must provide information, sometimes self-reporting potential issues.
