NPR: Lina Khan, Prominent Big Tech Critic, Will Lead The FTC

June 15, 2021 Media

President Joe Biden has named Lina Khan as the chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission, giving the regulatory authority’s top spot to one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent critics.

The surprise move elevating Khan to one of the most powerful regulatory positions in Washington was announced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., at the start of a hearing on Tuesday. It came shortly after the Senate confirmed Khan as a commissioner in a 69-28 vote.

Khan’s confirmation on Tuesday was hailed by those pushing for greater enforcement of competition laws, like the Washington-based American Economic Liberties Project.

Sarah Miller, executive director the group, said Khan’s ability to win bipartisan support shows policymakers’ “hearty appetite to rein in Big Tech.”

Miller added: “Her presence on the FTC marks the beginning of the end of an era of lawlessness for powerful corporations that they’ve enjoyed at the expense of workers, smaller businesses and democracy.”