WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has initiated a public inquiry to examine how technology platforms may restrict or degrade users’ access to services based on their speech or affiliations. The investigation seeks to assess whether such actions by tech firms have violated the law by harming consumers or stifling competition.
The FTC expressed concerns about the practices of technology platforms, such as banning, shadow banning, and demonetizing users, often through opaque or inconsistent internal policies. These actions, according to the agency, may leave users without recourse to challenge decisions and could stem from anti-competitive behavior or insufficient market competition. The inquiry aims to uncover the extent of consumer harm resulting from these practices and evaluate their potential impact on the marketplace.
To support the investigation, the FTC has issued a Request for Information (RFI) inviting public comments from tech platform users who believe they have been unfairly treated. This feedback will help the agency explore whether technology platforms have engaged in practices that violate consumer protection standards or competition laws.
“Tech firms should not be bullying their users,” said FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson in a statement, emphasizing the need to investigate whether companies have unlawfully silenced individuals for expressing their views.
The public has until May 21, 2025, to submit comments on the proposed regulations. Comments can be provided through the official Regulations.gov platform, where they will be publicly posted. For individuals preferring a private submission, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers an alternative reporting option. Consumers can file a confidential report by visiting ReportFraud.ftc.gov and selecting the “Report Now” option.
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