FCC, FTC Sign MOU on Working Together To Protect Consumers

The FCC and the FTC released a memorandum of understanding on their respective roles in protecting consumers in the communications sector. Both agencies posted the MOU on their websites Monday. “The memorandum is designed to formalize the existing cooperation between the agencies, outlining how the FTC and FCC will coordinate consumer protection efforts,” the FTC said in a statement. The agencies said they have had a similar MOU in place on telemarketing enforcement issues since 2003. “The FCC and the FTC will continue to work together to protect consumers from acts and practices that are deceptive, unfair, unjust and/or unreasonable,” the MOU said. They agreed to regular meetings to review current marketplace practices and their observations on the “evolution of communications markets.” The agencies committed to “coordination on agency initiatives where one agency’s action will have a significant effect on the other agency’s authority or programs” and “consultation on investigations or actions that implicate the jurisdiction of the other agency.”