WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced Dec. 11 that they intend to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to coordinate different efforts to protect consumers online after the Restoring Internet Freedom order.
“The memorandum of understanding will be a critical benefit for online consumers because it outlines the robust process by which the FCC and FTC will safeguard the public interest,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement. “Instead of saddling the Internet with heavy-handed regulations, we will work together to take targeted action against bad actors. This approach protected a free and open Internet for many years prior to the FCC’s 2015 Title II order and it will once again following the adoption of the Restoring Internet Freedom order.”
The MoU addresses the platforms by which the two agencies will protect internet consumers. Under the MoU, the FCC will review complaints regarding Internet service provider (ISP) compliance to the new rule. The FTC, for its part, will enforce appropriate actions against ISPs found to have committed deceptive acts. The FCC and FTC will also work together by sharing legal and technical expertise.
“The FTC is committed to ensuring that Internet service providers live up to the promises they make to consumers,” said acting FTC Chairman Maureen K. Ohlhausen. “The MoU we are developing with the FCC, in addition to the decades of FTC law enforcement experience in this area, will help us carry out this important work.”