Will the FTC Give Consumer Reviews a Fair Shake?
Plus the cold reality of the Open App Markets Act
It takes about 660,000 gallons of water, or 4,224,000 large milkshakes, to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool. It would surely make for a legend-dairy sport. The term “milkshake” originated in bars, which sometimes added alcohol. If the customer enjoyed the beverage, they would shake hands with the bartender. If not, the bartender wouldn’t get tipped. The most expensive is the LUXE Milkshake—sold for $100 in New York City. But for those of us on a budget, here are some udder options in the D.C. area.
FTC. Earlier today, Berin, Bilal, and Andy spoke at this month’s Federal Trade Commission open meeting. They discussed Magnuson-Moss rulemaking, Hart-Scott-Rodino Act (HSR) rulemaking, and the Commission's plan to vote on an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) on fake reviews and endorsements. Find a full transcript of their remarks on our website, Berin’s thread on Twitter, and Andy’s live-tweet of the meeting. Check back in for the full recording.
Content Moderation. Andy’s Twitter thread on the Open App Markets Act explains how the bill opens the door to app developers and politicians pressuring mainstream platforms to carry extremist content, hate speech, and misinformation. Andy also shared our previous letters to the Senate Judiciary Committee expressing our concern and suggesting amendments to the bill.
Upcoming Events. It’s not too late to attend Bilal’s fireside chat, tomorrow, October 21, at BYU Law’s “Tech Platforms and Online Retail in a New Age of Competition Law.” Check out the full schedule of panels and link to register.
Last call to see Corbin at Mercatus Center’s Markets & Society Conference. He and Neil Chilson, from Stand Together, will discuss how sludge and hubris are undermining expertise. Corbin’s panel takes place on Sunday, October 23. Check out the full schedule of panels and link to register. For more, see Corbin’s essay in City Journal on institutional “sludge.”
Next Friday, October 28, Berin and Jim will take part in a research roundtable hosted by Pacific Legal Foundation and the Center for Growth and Opportunity titled Due Process Deficits in Regulatory Enforcement and Adjudication. More details and registration info to follow.
Only five more months until Shamrock Shake season.