Does the FTC regulate AI?

The FTC has no AI-specific statute, but it applies its consumer protection and competition powers to AI products, data use and pricing practices, and can order companies to provide information under Section 6(b).

What is an FTC 6(b) order?

A compulsory request for information that lets the FTC study an industry without a specific law enforcement purpose. Companies that do not comply can be taken to federal court.

Federal Trade Commission news

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the independent US agency that enforces consumer protection and antitrust law.

The rounded, colonnaded east end of the Federal Trade Commission building in Washington, DC, under a blue sky with scattered clouds. — FTC orders Uber, Walmart, Delta and six others to explain personalized pricing and pay

AI Policy & Regulation28 Oct 2026, 09:00 UTC

The FTC ordered nine companies, including Delta, Uber and Walmart, on 28 October 2026 to explain whether algorithms use personal data to set prices or pay.

Summary

The US Federal Trade Commission voted 2-0 on 28 October 2026 to send Section 6(b) orders to nine companies: Delta, United, JetBlue, Lyft, Uber, DoorDash, Instacart, Target and Walmart. They must explain whether prices or worker pay vary from person to person based on loyalty programs or analysis of personal data by what the FTC calls superintelligence algorithms, and document the inputs and tools used. Answers are due within 45 days of receipt.

About Federal Trade Commission

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the independent US agency that enforces consumer protection and antitrust law. It polices deceptive and unfair business practices, including claims about AI products and the use of personal data, and can run industry-wide studies under Section 6(b) of the FTC Act. Andrew N. Ferguson is its chairman.

Reviewed 28 Oct 2026

Facts at a glance

Type: Independent US federal agency for consumer protection and competition
Headquarters: Washington, DC
Chairman: Andrew N. Ferguson source
Study power: Section 6(b) of the FTC Act, for wide-ranging studies without a specific law enforcement purpose source
Founded: 1914 source

Questions people ask

Does the FTC regulate AI?: The FTC has no AI-specific statute, but it applies its consumer protection and competition powers to AI products, data use and pricing practices, and can order companies to provide information under Section 6(b).
What is an FTC 6(b) order?: A compulsory request for information that lets the FTC study an industry without a specific law enforcement purpose. Companies that do not comply can be taken to federal court.

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FTC orders Uber, Walmart, Delta and six others to explain personalized pricing and pay