FTC Removes AI Risk Assessments and Open-Source Guidance
The Federal Trade Commission has removed three significant blog posts from the Lina Khan era that addressed artificial intelligence risks and open-source models, according to reports from Wired. The deleted content included posts titled “On Open-Weights Foundation Models,” “Consumers Are Voicing Concerns About AI,” and “AI and the Risk of Consumer Harm,” with the latter specifically noting the agency was “taking note of AI’s potential for real-world instances of harm.”
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Administration Shift Drives Content Removal
Sources indicate these removals are part of a broader pattern under the Trump administration, which has directed federal agencies to remove or modify substantial amounts of government content since taking office. The administration has installed new leadership at the FTC, including Chair Andrew Ferguson, who has shifted focus away from Khan’s aggressive antitrust agenda toward deregulation for Big Tech. In September, Ferguson submitted recommendations for deleting or revising anticompetitive regulations across the federal government.
Content Removal Sparks Legal and Policy Concerns
Analysts suggest the removal of these posts, which focused on consumer protection regarding AI systems, may violate federal record-keeping laws. The Federal Records Act requires agencies to preserve documentation of government activities, while the Open Government Data Act mandates publication of government data as open data by default. The report states this isn’t the first content removal by the current FTC leadership, which previously deleted approximately 300 posts related to AI, consumer protection, and lawsuits against major technology companies.
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Broader Government Content Removal Pattern
The FTC blog deletions align with a wider initiative across federal agencies. According to reports, multiple departments have removed or modified thousands of web pages and datasets, particularly content covering diversity, equity, inclusion, public health, and environmental policy. For instance, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration removed congressionally mandated National Climate Assessment reports, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has eliminated data on chronic medical conditions and HIV/AIDS.
Contradictory Signals on Open-Source Policy
The removal of posts addressing open-source software and AI models appears particularly noteworthy given the administration’s vocal support for open-source initiatives. Former FTC public affairs director Douglas Farrar told TechCrunch he was “shocked to see the Andrew Ferguson led FTC be so out of line with the Trump White House on this signal to the market.” The deleted content doesn’t seem to align with the administration’s AI Action Plan, which has reduced focus on safety guardrails in favor of rapid growth and competition with China.
FTC’s Evolving Approach to Technology Regulation
While hundreds of blog posts from Khan’s tenure remain on the FTC’s Office of Technology Blog, the current leadership has yet to publish new content despite rapid industry developments in artificial intelligence. The agency recently issued recommendations for regulatory revisions affecting multiple sectors. Meanwhile, technology companies continue advancing related innovations in hardware and software, while financial institutions develop new tools for specialized markets. The entertainment sector also shows market trends toward leveraging AI and advanced technology.
Precedent for Content Preservation
The Biden administration’s FTC leadership previously placed warning labels on content from earlier administrations that it disagreed with, rather than removing it entirely, according to Wired. This approach maintained accessibility while providing context, potentially offering a model for balancing administrative transitions with information preservation. As the artificial intelligence landscape evolves rapidly, analysts suggest maintaining historical regulatory perspectives could provide valuable context for understanding recent technology developments and their implications for consumer protection.
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