Schakowsky Statement on Meta's Lawsuit Against the Federal Trade Commission

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), a Chief Deputy Whip and the Ranking Member of the Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement on Meta's lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission :

"This morning, Facebook’s parent company, Meta, filed a lawsuit to declare the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) unconstitutional.

"Let’s be clear: Meta is doing this because the FTC has repeatedly shown its willingness to protect consumers against Meta’s unfair and deceptive practices. Meta’s lawsuit is its latest shameful attempt to stop the FTC from prohibiting Facebook and Instagram from profiting off the use of kids’ data.

"The FTC is not new or radical. It has been an American institution for over one hundred years, combating robber barons, ensuring small businesses can compete, and that American consumers, including our children, are protected from unfair and deceptive acts or practices.

"Now a modern-day robber baron is trying to burn down one of our country’s most important agencies to continue recklessly using children’s data and advancing his own financial interests.

"This is more than unacceptable – it represents another sinister attack on a cornerstone of American democracy. Without the FTC’s oversight, corporations will be unhindered as they eliminate smaller competitors and hoard consumer data, giving them an even more outsized influence on our economy and society.

"I will not stand idly by – I plan to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that the FTC remains as strong as ever and able to do the important work of the American people instead of powerful corporations."

###