Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina M. Khan has provided a summary of the agency's achievements over the past four years, focusing on initiatives that have impacted American consumers and tackled illegal business practices.
Among the actions taken, the FTC has worked to return money to consumers by banning junk fees in various sectors and securing refunds. The agency obtained over $245 million for consumer refunds from Epic Games, maker of Fortnite, and $48 million from Invitation Homes for alleged unfair practices.
In efforts to prevent harmful consolidation, the FTC successfully blocked a proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons valued at $24.6 billion. This action was part of broader enforcement across industries such as semiconductors and healthcare.
The FTC also addressed healthcare access by challenging patents improperly listed in the FDA’s Orange Book, leading to reduced out-of-pocket costs for inhalers. The agency took legal actions against pharmacy benefit managers and other entities accused of anti-competitive practices affecting drug prices.
Worker protection was another priority, with bans on noncompete clauses expected to increase wages by $524 annually per worker. The FTC also enforced actions against companies like Care.com and Amazon for misleading workers about earnings or withholding tips.
On data privacy, the FTC targeted illegal commercial surveillance activities. Notable cases include a five-year ban on General Motors from sharing drivers’ data and record penalties against Epic Games for violating children's privacy laws.
Efforts to uphold Americans' right to repair were reinforced through lawsuits against companies like Deere & Company, aiming to reduce repair costs for consumers. Small businesses received support as well, with measures taken against Amazon and Mastercard for practices that raised operational costs.
The FTC has leveraged its authority through new rules aimed at returning funds to consumers and enforcing various consumer protection acts.
For further information on consumer issues or reporting scams, individuals can visit ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
