By favour nwanneri 
Can the FTC Stop Tech Giants From Silencing Voices?
In 2025, under President Donald Trump’s administration, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has intensified its scrutiny of major technology companies’ content moderation practices. On February 20, 2025, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson announced a public inquiry into how these platforms manage content restrictions and user bans, aiming to determine if such actions constitute unlawful censorship.
The agency is particularly interested in whether these practices involve deceptive conduct or suppress conservative viewpoints. The public has been invited to submit comments online until May 21, 2025.
Chairman Ferguson, appointed by President Trump, has expressed concerns about potential collusion among tech giants to suppress speech that doesn’t align with progressive views. He emphasizes the need to protect Americans from wrongful censorship by large technology companies.
In alignment with this initiative, President Trump signed Executive Order 14149, titled “Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship,” on January 20, 2025. This order prohibits the use of taxpayer resources for activities perceived as censoring and directs the Attorney General to investigate federal actions over the past four years related to free speech.
Additionally, President Trump issued an executive order aiming to increase White House oversight of independent federal agencies, including the FTC. This directive requires these agencies to submit draft regulations for review, a move that has sparked debate over its legality and potential impact on agency independence.
These actions collectively represent a concerted effort by the Trump administration to address perceived censorship by Big Tech companies and to assert greater control over independent regulatory bodies.