Lina Khan’s Federal Trade Commission Protected Consumers

I. Introduction

When Lina Khan assumed the role of Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair in 2021, she brought not just bold policies but a transformative vision grounded in her groundbreaking scholarship on antitrust and market fairness. Her intellectual contributions have challenged traditional assumptions about market power and demonstrated how law can serve as a tool to democratize economic opportunities. Today, as a new FTC Chair is nominated and her term nears its conclusion on January 20, 2025, this post serves as both a tribute to her transformative tenure and an exploration of how her policies resonate with my beliefs as a libertarian and capitalist.

The FTC, an independent U.S. government agency, enforces antitrust laws, protects consumers, and ensures fair market competition. Under Khan’s leadership, it has tackled issues like Big Tech monopolies, deceptive fees, and non-compete clauses1. Her approach has reimagined governance as a counterbalance to concentrated power, aligning with my belief that law shapes everything—through enactments, policies, amendments, repeals, interpretations, and applications.

This alignment inspired me to explore these ideas further in my living document, a framework that connects law, markets, and sustainability as fundamental building blocks of societal progress.

II. The Backstory

As someone who grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, I’ve always valued job creation, innovation, and the dynamism of free markets. My career in software engineering and entrepreneurial projects further deepened this appreciation. Recently, I built a tool to analyze SEC filings, uncovering acquisition trends in the cybersecurity sector. This project helped me position my ventures for potential acquisition.

The turning point came during a conversation with a Figma employee, who expressed frustration over the FTC’s decision to block Adobe’s acquisition of the company. While I understood his disappointment—mergers and acquisitions can provide financial rewards for employees and stakeholders—I also recognized the broader implications of unchecked consolidation. This conversation inspired me to formalize my thoughts into a living document, exploring the balance between freedom and responsibility in governance and markets.

III. Key Achievements Under Lina Khan's FTC

Here’s a snapshot of policies and actions under Lina Khan that resonate with everyday experiences1:

For a full list of the FTC’s accomplishments under Lina Khan, visit the FTC website.

IV. A Global Perspective

While Lina Khan’s FTC has focused on U.S. markets, its actions have global implications. Similar regulatory bodies, like the European Commission's Directorate-General for Competition, have also tackled Big Tech dominance and market consolidation. For example: - The EU’s **Digital Markets Act complements the FTC’s antitrust focus, targeting gatekeepers like Google2 and Apple3. - Canada’s Competition Bureau** has taken a stance against mergers that harm small businesses4, mirroring the FTC’s approach to consumer protection.

This alignment underscores the global relevance of Khan’s vision for fair markets and robust consumer protections.

V. Why Lina Khan’s Vision Resonates

Lina Khan’s policies reflect a belief I deeply share: law is the foundation of societal structure and progress. The FTC’s actions span all branches of governance:

• Legislative: Proposed rules like the non-compete ban illustrate the power of lawmaking5.
• Executive: Policies targeting Big Tech demonstrate decisive enforcement6.
• Judicial: Antitrust cases like those against Amazon7 highlight the role of courts in shaping markets.

These actions demonstrate how governance can protect freedoms while fostering innovation, competition, and fairness.

VI. Relatable Wins for Everyday People

Khan’s FTC achieved victories that resonate across diverse audiences:

• Junk Fees: Hidden costs, from gyms to concert tickets, have been tackled8.
• Subscription Cancellations: Easier cancellations make predatory contracts less burdensome9.
• Worker Protections: The proposed non-compete ban empowers employees, from engineers to fast-food workers.

VII. Transition to a New FTC Chair

The nomination of a new FTC Chair marks a pivotal moment for the agency. Will this leadership transition sustain the bold trajectory set under Lina Khan, or shift toward a different approach? With Khan’s term ending in January 2025, her legacy provides a blueprint for balancing freedom with accountability in governance.

VIII. How This Essay Led to My Living Document

Writing this post crystallized my thoughts on governance and markets, inspiring me to create my living document: a framework for addressing systemic challenges through the lens of law, markets, and sustainability. Lina Khan’s leadership exemplifies how law—whether through legislation, executive orders, or judicial interpretations—shapes society.

For more on this evolving framework, read my living document here.

IX. A Call to Reflect

As we prepare for a new FTC chair, we should consider how governance shapes our economy and freedoms. For me, Lina Khan’s FTC exemplifies how targeted, principled enforcement can protect competition, empower workers, and ensure fairness in an increasingly complex world.

This essay is both a tribute to Lina Khan and a reflection of my journey as a libertarian, entrepreneur, and believer in the power of law to balance freedom and accountability.

References