Ohlhausen Should Be Named Permanent FTC Chair, Says Phoenix Center's Spiwak

Acting FTC Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen should be made the agency's permanent head, said Lawrence Spiwak, president of the Phoenix Center, in an opinion piece for The Hill. He said Ohlhausen will "judiciously" wield the commission's power by focusing on "substantial harm" on consumers rather than speculative injury. He also said Ohlhausen has a "close relationship" with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and, like him, could "implement thoughtful policy on day one." Ohlhausen will be fair and wants to get better understanding of the economics of digital privacy, especially the link between access to consumer data and innovation, Spiwak said. "As a genuine respect for economics is in very short supply in Washington policy circles -- although lip service regrettably is always in abundant supply -- it's important for us to give credit where credit is due," he added. Ohlhausen plans to cut unnecessary regulations and provide businesses with more transparency, he said, but "one should not equate her philosophy of 'regulatory humility' with being soft on those who would harm consumers."