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Federal statuteFTC Act

Federal Trade Commission Act

In plain terms. The Federal Trade Commission Act created the FTC and, through Section 5's prohibition of "unfair or deceptive acts or practices," supplies the FTC's principal authority to bring data-security and privacy enforcement actio…

Last reviewedJune 7, 2026Version v1

In plain terms. The Federal Trade Commission Act created the FTC and, through Section 5's prohibition of "unfair or deceptive acts or practices," supplies the FTC's principal authority to bring data-security and privacy enforcement actions. It is the de facto baseline for commercial data-protection accountability in the United States.

Citation. Pub. L. 63-311 (Sep. 26, 1914); 15 U.S.C. §§ 41-58.