FTC Urged to Study Its Privacy Powers in Year-End Spending Bill (1)

The Federal Trade Commission is being urged to analyze its data privacy and security work and whether it needs more resources as part of Congress’ year-end spending bill.

The FTC should conduct “a comprehensive internal assessment” and report on the results within 180 days, according to an appropriations report that accompanies the bill. The spending bill also gives the commission $351 million in overall funding, an increase of $20 million over fiscal year 2020.

The assessment, which isn’t mandated by the legislation, is a recommendation from House and Senate appropriators. The Senate followed the House late Monday in passing the ...