The FTC enforces federal consumer-protection and antitrust laws, policing unfair or deceptive business practices, fraud, and anticompetitive mergers. It can investigate companies, bring enforcement actions, and write rules that bind businesses across most of the U.S. economy.
Created by Congress under the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 2, subch. I (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.); Pub. L. 63-203, 38 Stat. 717 (Sept. 26, 1914)), it acts within the authority that statute grants. Its actions are subject to judicial review and to congressional oversight and funding.
