FTC Erases Blog Posts Criticizing Amazon and Microsoft under Trump's Administration
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has caused a stir after it was revealed that several blog posts by its current chair, Lina Khan, have been removed from the agency's website. The reason for the removal is attributed to a redesign and content organization update of the FTC site.
The deleted posts, which were designed to make complex information accessible to the general public, included details regarding the FTC's privacy lawsuits against Big Tech firms, business guidance, and consumer protection information. One of the posts highlighted how Microsoft allegedly collected data from children using Xbox without consent from their parents or guardians. Another alerted consumers to allegations that Amazon used data from Ring security cameras to train its algorithms.
These blog posts were critical of companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and AI firms, and their removal may cause confusion among the public. Wired reported that more than 300 such posts have been deleted from the FTC's website.
The removal of the blog posts occurred during the Biden administration, while Lina Khan was the head of the FTC. However, it's important to note that getting rid of these posts does not change the agency's policies or erase settlements that the FTC secured with companies for alleged violations of FTC rules.
Interestingly, on the same day the FTC's log of blogs from Khan's office was deleted, JD Vance appeared at a conference hosted by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Vance, who voiced support for FTC chair Lina Khan before taking office, has yet to comment on the matter.
The deletion of the FTC's past criticisms of Big Tech could be considered a possible olive branch, especially given the Trump administration's desire to stay connected with the tech industry and its interests alongside issues that appeal to the populist wing of the party. However, it's worth noting that during the Trump administration, the president faced criticism for deleting tweets that were supposed to be archived.
The Biden administration left blogs from the Trump era on the FTC's website for fear of violating the Federal Records Act and the Open Government Data Act. This decision contrasts with Trump's approach, where no real penalty came from the affair of deleted tweets.
In conclusion, the removal of the FTC's critical blog posts has sparked debate and raised questions about transparency and the agency's approach to Big Tech. While the reasons for the removal remain unclear, it's crucial for the FTC to maintain trust and openness with the public as it continues to navigate complex issues in the digital age.
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