Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914

Legislation in the United States that established the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The Act gave the FTC the responsibility for protecting consumers from predatory or unfair business practices. The Act also provided a forum for citizens to complain about perceived wrongdoings in the business practices of a company. Additionally, the Act gave the FTC the ability to issue cease and desist orders to companies engaging in these practices. Its ability to enforce antitrust laws did not come until the 1930s.