Mises Economics Blog:  “There’s concern throughout the Internet after the Federal Trade Commission announced today

[October 5, 2009] that it has the power to regulate blogs, specifically blogs that endorse commercial products. The unelected FTC – composed entirely of Bush appointees – now mandates that “bloggers who make an endorsement must disclose the material connections they share with the seller of the product or service.” This is merely a first step towards regulating the content of blogs themselves, as anyone who offers a personal testimonial about any product will be liable, under the Federal Trade Commission Act, should the FTC disagree with your personal experiences.

If you’re wondering just how big a mess the FTC can make, consider a decision published just last week by D. Michael Chappell, the FTC’s chief administrative law judge. Judge Chappell caught FTC prosecutors in a blatant attempt to lie their way out of a bad situation arising from yet another misguided attempt to micromanage the World Wide Web. It’s a case that demonstrates the FTC’s unique combination of stupidity and narcissism.

Related posts:

  1. New FTC Rules Aim to Kill the Buzz on Blogs
  2. New FTC Blog Rules: Overbroad or Overblown?
  3. FTC Ready to Change Long-Time Ad Rules
  4. Where Did You Get That Keychain?
  5. Save Us From the Swag-Takers
  6. Federal Judge Releases Written Opinion on Red Flags Rule
  7. New FTC Rules Affect Bloggers & Testimonial & Celebrity Ads
  8. New Guide to FTC Disclosure Requirements for Product Endorsements
  9. New FTC Ad Rule Creates “Target Rich Environment”
  10. FTC Reassures Bloggers – Big Brother Isn’t Watching