FTC Twitter Chats

Twitter Chats

Twitter chats are a great way for people to get together on Twitter at a certain time to discuss a specific topic. While the Federal Trade Commission staff strives to answer as many general questions on Twitter as they come in, the FTC also hosts or participates in Twitter chats to share news of interest and answer questions about the work the agency is doing to protect America’s consumers and ensure competition in the marketplace. Chats are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to participate.

We generally promote each chat on Twitter via the FTC’s primary Twitter account @FTC, through the media, and on this page using a designated hashtag.

Hashtags are an easy way to link a conversation on Twitter regardless of who follows whom. The chat records below indicate some of the various FTC-specific hashtags.

See also FTC's Facebook Chats

Twitter Chat Guidelines

1. We use a Q1/A1 format for chats. For each question, the FTC will send out a retweet or modified tweet with the question and Twitter handle of the original question.
2. Unless posted otherwise, chats are limited to 60 minutes.
3. We’ll answer questions from as many different participants as possible before going back to someone who has already asked a question.
4. Remember that we cannot discuss non-public information, but will try to answer as many questions from participants as possible in the time allowed.
5. Official transcripts posted to FTC.gov will have Twitter handles redacted. For more details about how we maintain records including Twitter handles, please read our Twitter Privacy Impact Assessment.

The following is a list of transcripts from previous FTC Twitter chats, listed in reverse chronological order:

Topic	Date	Details	Hashtag
Mobile Cramming	April 2013	Staff answered questions about the agency’s first mobile cramming case.	#FTCmobile
.com Disclosures	March 2013	Staff answered questions on updates to guides on digital advertising disclosures.	#AskFTC
Child ID Theft	March 2013	FTC staff participated in a chat to share FTC resources on child identity theft.	#ChatSTC
National Consumer Protection Week	March 2013	GSA, CFPB and FTC answered consumer questions and shared educational resources.	#NCPW
HTC	February 2013	Staff discussed settlement with HTC America.	#FTCpriv
Mobile Privacy	February 2013	Staff discussed mobile privacy disclosures report and Path settlement.	#FTCpriv
Data Privacy Day	January 2013	Staff shared FTC educational resources in advance of Data Privacy Day 2013.	#DPD13 & #ChatSTC
2012 Twitter chat transcripts and details
2010-2011 Twitter chat transcripts and details

NOTE: As of October 3, 2011 the FTC Twitter handle has changed to @FTC from @FTCgov.