In order to keep up with potential fraud in an ever-changing technology market, the Federal Trade Commission is expanding its Mobile Technology Unit to include investigations into all consumer technology products.
The newly revamped unit — announced through a series of blog posts this week — will be renamed the Office of Technology Research and Investigation and will review complaints of fraud and unfair business practices in the technology market.
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“The OTRI is the successor to the MTU and will build upon their great work by tackling an even broader array of investigative research on technology issues involving all facets of the FTC’s consumer protection mission,” said FTC Chief Technologist Ashkan Soltani. That mission will include “privacy, data security, connected cars, smart homes, algorithmic transparency, emerging payment methods, big data and the Internet of Things.”
“The Bureau of Consumer Protection’s newest initiative [will] help ensure that consumers enjoy the benefits of technological progress without being placed at risk of deceptive and unfair practices,” said BCP Director Jessica Rich. “New consumer technologies are coming online daily — and BCP’s OTRI will make sure that the FTC is protecting consumers in emerging marketplaces.”
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The new unit will also need some new blood, Rich noted.
The Commission is creating two new positions: a full-time research coordinator to oversee investigations and the creation of plain-language reports and policy guidance; and a technology policy research fellowship – a two-year appointment for “recent graduates with that rare education in both technology and policy.”
Applications for the first round of screening are due April 3.
The OTRI will also include summer interns from the Technology Research Internship Program, with plan to expand to semester-long externships in the fall.
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Soltani also noted the FTC blog will be opened up to members of the OTRI and broader FTC staff to add additional “geeky” voices to the discussion.
“We believe OTRI will be an instrumental source for research and information on technology’s impact on consumers,” Soltani said.
