FTC Removes Lina Khan-Era Blog Posts on AI Risks and Open Source
Key Points
- FTC removed three blog posts from the Lina Khan era that discussed AI consumer risks and open‑source models.
- The posts warned about fraud, impersonation, surveillance and discrimination linked to AI technologies.
- New FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson oversaw the deletions as part of a broader review of agency content.
- Similar content removals have occurred across other federal agencies under the current administration.
- Legal experts question compliance with the Federal Records Act and Open Government Data Act.
- Former FTC staff expressed surprise, citing the posts’ importance for public understanding of AI risks.
The Federal Trade Commission has taken down three blog posts from the Lina Khan-era that addressed the risks of artificial intelligence to consumers and the role of open‑source models. The posts, originally published under Khan’s leadership, highlighted concerns such as fraud, impersonation, surveillance and discrimination. The removals come under the direction of new FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson and align with a broader pattern of content deletions observed in the current administration, which has also altered other agency publications. Critics question whether the deletions comply with federal record‑keeping laws.
Background
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently removed three blog entries that were posted during Lina Khan's tenure. These entries focused on the potential harms of artificial intelligence (AI) to consumers and discussed the implications of open‑source AI models. The posts had previously warned about issues such as commercial surveillance, fraud, impersonation and illegal discrimination.
Changes in Leadership
Since the appointment of Andrew Ferguson as the FTC chair, the agency has begun reviewing and eliminating content that it deems misaligned with current policy priorities. The three removed posts were among the few that directly addressed AI‑related consumer risks under Khan’s administration.
Broader Content Deletions
The blog removals are part of a larger trend of content revisions and deletions across multiple federal agencies. Similar actions have been noted in other departments, where material related to diversity, public health, climate assessment and other topics has been altered or taken offline. This pattern reflects a shift in emphasis toward rapid growth and competition, particularly in the technology sector.
Legal and Transparency Concerns
Observers have raised questions about whether the FTC’s removal of these posts complies with the Federal Records Act, which mandates preservation of government records, and the Open Government Data Act, which requires agencies to keep data publicly accessible by default. Critics argue that eliminating historically significant blog entries could hinder transparency and public understanding of past regulatory viewpoints.
Reactions
Former FTC staff members have expressed surprise at the decision, noting that the posts provided valuable insight into consumer‑protection concerns surrounding AI. The agency has not offered a detailed explanation for the deletions, and attempts to obtain comment from the FTC have not yielded a response.