FTCWatch
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February 20, 2026
Cross-border fraud crackdown an ongoing priority, FTC tells Congress
The Federal Trade Commission is again urging Congress to permanently authorize a federal law that strengthens the agency’s ability to combat cross-border fraud, according to its annual report on cyberattacks.
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February 24, 2026
Calendar
March 2 — “The Competition and Consumer Protection Year in Review: A Panel on Enforcement Policy at the FTC” will feature Chris Mufarrige, the agency’s Bureau of Competition director, former acting FTC Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen and Noah Phillips, a former commissioner. The International Center for Law & Economics is sponsoring the event from noon to 1 p.m. at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, DC. For more information, go to: https://laweconcenter.org/events/the-competition-and-consumer-protection-year-in-review-a-panel-on-enforcement-policy-at-the-ftc/.
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February 24, 2026
Ferguson calls Express Scripts antitrust settlement pretty comprehensive
Express Scripts’ settlement of antitrust litigation brought by the Federal Trade Commission covers business practices that extend beyond the rebating practices and insulin at the center of the agency’s case against the top three pharmacy benefit managers, Chairman Andrew Ferguson said Friday.
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February 24, 2026
Trump administration’s antitrust agenda becomes clearer with Slater’s exit
The appointment of Gail Slater last year to lead antitrust enforcement at the Department of Justice was seen as an expression of philosophical continuity with past administrations. Her recent ouster — after substantial disputes within DOJ leadership about the ethics of enforcement — signaled a sharp break with the past and creates a widespread perception that the agency’s tolerance for corporate market power will increase.
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February 24, 2026
FTC filing disclosure block raises stakes for M&A antitrust oversight
A US district court’s move to block the Federal Trade Commission from requiring expanded premerger antitrust forms raises fresh uncertainty around the meaning of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and the scope of federal oversight in mergers and acquisitions.
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February 24, 2026
At what cost? A look at the deferred resignation program at the FTC
The Federal Trade Commission lost more than 100 employees last year through the deferred resignation program, spending $7.6 million on salary compensation for idled employees, according to information obtained by FTCWatch.
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February 24, 2026
FTC chair warns Apple News about alleged media bias
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson’s letter to Apple alleging that it is stifling conservative perspectives is part of a broader effort aimed at content moderation.
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February 24, 2026
Senators seek details about Slater’s departure, Ticketmaster
A group of Senate Democrats have raised concerns about the Department of Justice’s commitment to antitrust enforcement after the ouster of its antitrust chief Gail Slater.
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February 24, 2026
North Carolina executive admits to rigging military contract bids
An executive at a metal fabrication and manufacturing firm has pleaded guilty to conspiring to rig bids for contracts affecting US military installations.
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February 24, 2026
Consent order over Adamas no-hire agreements finalized
The Federal Trade Commission has finalized a consent order that requires building services contractor Adamas Amenity Services and its affiliated businesses to stop enforcing no-hire agreements.
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February 24, 2026
People — Briggerman moves to Squire Patton Boggs
Lauren Briggerman, a veteran antitrust lawyer, has joined Squire Patton Boggs as a partner from Miller & Chevalier.
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February 24, 2026
On the Shelf: The last of the old-time media moguls
Few people have shaped the modern political and media landscapes more than Rupert Murdoch. He has accomplished a great deal while exploiting gaps in the law and causing sharp divisions in his family over the succession battle for his empire.
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February 24, 2026
Neil Averitt commentary: Expanding the good idea of whistleblower bounties
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division just paid a $1 million bounty for information that revealed a bid-rigging conspiracy. This is a wholly new initiative that may be extended to other areas.
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February 24, 2026
‘Sanctuary Belize’ scam victims get more than $20 million in payouts
The Federal Trade Commission is returning roughly $23 million to more than 1,000 people who purchased deceptively marketed real estate lots near the coast in the Central American country of Belize.
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February 10, 2026
Calendar
Feb. 20 — Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson will speak at the George Mason Law Review’s 29th Annual Antitrust Symposium. It will be held at the school’s Arlington campus. For more information, go to: https://masonlec.org/events/george-mason-law-review-29th-annual-antitrust-symposium/.
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February 10, 2026
Privacy Corner: Wyden fights ICE use of facial recognition tools
Senator Ron Wyden, a long-time privacy hawk, is warning against government overreach. His latest targets are Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol.
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February 10, 2026
Netflix-WBD deal draws congressional ire as antitrust reforms stall
Netflix’s proposed buyout of Warner Bros. Discovery captured the attention of the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee at a hearing last week.
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February 10, 2026
People — ‘Project 2025’ contributor steps away from FTC
A senior advisor at the Federal Trade Commission for much of 2025, Jon Schweppe has left the agency to return to his former employer, the American Principles Project, a “pro-family” advocacy organization headquartered in Virginia.
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February 10, 2026
Senators call for investigation of market for software used by firefighters
Like the majority of those serving in fire departments across the US, Michael Goldstein is not a career firefighter, but he shares a concern with others in the profession, namely firms backed by private equity increasing prices on critical reporting software.
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February 10, 2026
Express Scripts antitrust deal includes cooperation, business changes
Express Scripts agreed to cooperate with the Federal Trade Commission’s ongoing antitrust litigation against pharmacy benefit managers Caremark Rx and OptumRx and other affiliated entities as part of a settlement that also includes a revamp of ESI’s business practices.
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February 10, 2026
Democrats query FTC chair, Pepsi CEO after dismissal of case
A pair of Democratic senators and nine of their House colleagues questioned the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission and the chief executive of PepsiCo about a case the FTC dismissed against the company last year.
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February 10, 2026
Identity Theft Awareness Week offers privacy tips, tools and more
Identity Theft Awareness Week, which concluded Jan. 30, featured webinars, podcasts and a live discussion on how citizens can protect their privacy online.
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February 10, 2026
Ferguson warns top law firms over DEI hiring
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson warned 42 elite law firms regarding potentially unfair and anticompetitive employment practices.
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February 10, 2026
DOJ, Postal Service grant $1 million whistleblower reward
The Department of Justice and Postal Service announced a $1 million reward to a whistleblower who provided information that led to EBLOCK Corp. resolving criminal antitrust and fraud charges.
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February 10, 2026
On the Shelf: Duo defends capitalism while blasting antitrust
One of the problems with contemporary political discourse is the lack of nuance.