FTC Signals Willingness to Write Privacy Rules Without Congress

Federal Trade Commission officials signaled that they would move forward with new rules protecting consumer data as lawmakers in Congress continue to debate the issue.

Christine Wilson, a Republican FTC commissioner, said at a hearing Tuesday that she supported an agency effort to write rules “in the absence of congressional action” and “in the face of continuing harm” to consumers.

“Inaction is not an option,” Wilson told lawmakers on the Senate’s Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.

Her comments show bipartisan backing for an agency initiative launched by Acting FTC Chairwoman Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, a Democrat, that focuses on writing new ...