FTC Warns Big Tech: Don't Sacrifice Data Security for Foreign Governments

The FTC chairman, Andrew N. Ferguson, sent a letter to major US tech companies, including Google, Apple, and Microsoft, warning against complying with foreign government demands that weaken data security, compromise encryption, or censor content. Ferguson stressed that weakening security at a foreign government's request, especially without user notification, violates the FTC Act and exposes companies to legal action. He specifically cited the EU's Digital Services Act and the UK's Online Safety Act as examples. The FTC warns these laws undermine American users' freedom and data security, reminding companies of their obligations under the FTC Act regarding data security and privacy. The letter follows recent events like Apple's temporary removal of iCloud end-to-end encryption in the UK, which was later reversed.