NCL warns: DOGE’s FTC infiltration puts consumer privacy at risk

Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829

Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) is outraged by the recent actions of Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), which has reportedly infiltrated the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These actions pose a direct and immediate threat to consumers and parents nationwide. By interfering with the FTC’s ability to protect the public—especially children’s data—from harmful privacy violations, fraud, and anti-competitive practices, DOGE has crossed the line.

“The infiltration of the FTC by DOGE, an entity driven by the interests of a few powerful billionaires, is a dangerous step toward dismantling vital consumer protections and furthering the corporate capture of government agencies,” said NCL VP of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud, John Breyault. “The public’s safety and privacy are already under constant threat from corporate surveillance, and DOGE’s actions simply give even more power to those who prioritize profit over people. Consumers stand to lose the most from DOGE’s interference, and parents should be alarmed, especially since the FTC plays a critical role in safeguarding children’s digital privacy.”

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.