Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent agency of the U.S. government that regulates markets and competition. Founded in 1915, the FTC is a successor to the Bureau of Corporations of the Department of Commerce, which was founded in 1903, making it one of the oldest regulatory agencies in the United States. The agency is known to consumers and businesspeople for its many functions, including consumer protection, product safety, enforcement of warranties, prohibition of price-fixing, and maintenance of competitive markets through review of mergers and restrictions on anticompetitive activities.

History

As the United States transitioned from an agricultural nation to an industrial power during the 19th century, many citizens and legislators became concerned about the concentration of economic power in the hands of only a few ...

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