Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission keeps tabs on big business. Trump fired 2 of its members

4:20am March 20, 2025

by Leila Fadel

President Trump fired two Democratic appointees from the independent agency tasked with policing corporate America. One of them told NPR the move is a gift to the president's wealthiest supporters.

Queue Listen Now

With Trump's win, Elon Musk stands to benefit

3:56pm November 07, 2024

The billionaire businessman has spent weeks campaigning relentlessly for Donald Trump. That dedication could lead to major benefits for him and his companies.

Queue Listen Now

Canceling subscriptions has to be as easy as signing up, the FTC says in a new rule

1:03pm October 16, 2024

The "click-to-cancel" rule, now finalized by the Federal Trade Commission, aims to make it easier to cancel subscriptions and memberships. Companies argue that the agency overstepped its authority.

Google is defiant after losing antitrust lawsuit and being called a 'monopolist'

4:44am August 06, 2024

by Dara Kerr

A federal judge rules that Google illegally abused its monopoly power to maintain its control over the search engine business. Google says it's appealing.

Queue Listen Now

The Justice Department is suing Apple over antitrust violations.

Politics & Government

The U.S. sues Apple, saying it abuses its power to monopolize the smartphone market

7:59pm March 21, 2024

by Dara Kerr

The federal government accuses Apple of using its monopoly power to stomp out competitors and keep customers from switching phones.

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan is leading a sweeping lawsuit against Amazon for allegedly abusing its market dominance to stifle competition.

Politics & Government

FTC Chair Lina Khan's lawsuit isn't about breaking up Amazon, for now

6:42am September 28, 2023

by Dara Kerr

The FTC's Lina Khan speaks to NPR about the goals of the agency's monopoly lawsuit against Amazon and why she thinks the company unfairly treats sellers on its marketplace.

Queue Listen Now

Pay-by-the-month subscriptions are increasingly popular. But research suggests people often keep paying long after they intend to.

Yes, people often forget to cancel their monthly subscriptions — and the costs add up

1:30pm August 30, 2023

by Scott Horsley

From streaming TV to razor blades by mail, Americans are buying more goods and services through pay-by-the-month plans. New research shows they often keep paying long after they want to.

Queue Listen Now

People shop in The Galleria mall during Black Friday on November 26, 2021 in Houston, Texas.

National

The FTC is targeting fake customer reviews in a bid to help real-world shoppers

2:50pm July 02, 2023

by Joe Hernandez

A proposed rule would outlaw fake reviews, stop companies from paying for good reviews and prohibit them from illegally suppressing negative reviews.

A copy of an IRS 1040 tax form is seen at an H&R Block office in Florida in December 2017.

No, the IRS isn't calling you. It isn't texting or emailing you, either

6:00am April 07, 2023

by Kaitlyn Radde

Since 2018, over 75,000 victims have lost $28 million to IRS imposters over the phone, email, texts and more. Here's how the IRS actually contacts taxpayers and how you can spot imposters.

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, pictured at her April 2021 confirmation hearing, spoke to Morning Edition on Thursday about the new "Click to Cancel" proposal.

National

Still trying to quit that gym membership? The FTC is proposing a rule that could help

2:34pm March 23, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

The Federal Trade Commission gets thousands of complaints a year from customers trapped in memberships they don't want. Its "Click to Cancel" proposal aims to change that, Chair Lina Khan tells NPR.

Queue Listen Now