On Feb. 17, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched its Office of Technology (OT), a new unit intended to “strengthen the FTC’s ability to keep pace with technological challenges in the digital marketplace.” The OT will have dedicated staff and resources and will attempt to move the FTC away from “relying solely on a case-by-case approach to engaging experts” and toward expanded and ongoing “in-house technological expertise.” The new office will report directly to Chairperson Lina Khan.

Investigations and Enforcement Actions are the OT’s ‘Top Priority’

Part of the OT’s responsibilities will focus on policy research and market trend analysis, but FTC has made clear that it expects more than studies and recommendations from its newest unit. Stephanie T. Nguyen, head of the OT and FTC’s chief technology officer, wrote that the OT’s “top priority is to work with staff and leadership across the agency to strengthen and support the agency on enforcement investigations and litigated cases.” Substantively, this work could encompass anything from scrutinizing sales of sensitive data to analyzing algorithms to examining immersive environments like augmented and virtual reality. Procedurally, it will involve technologists “helping to develop appropriate investigative techniques, assisting in the review and analysis of data and documents received in investigations, and aiding in the creation of effective remedies.”