FTC - T is for Tech

November 6-8, 2006, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will host hearings on Protecting Consumers in the Next Tech-ade. The Commission encourages participation by "consumers, government regulators, industry members, technologists, consumer advocates, academics, law enforcement officials and other interested members of the public."

The hearings will provide an opportunity to examine changes that have occurred in marketing and technology over the past decade, and to garner experts' views on coming challenges and opportunities for consumers, businesses, and governmental bodies.

To provide continuous coverage of the hearings, the FTC launched their FTC Tech-ade Blog focusing on the new technologies and developing business practices especially impacting the consumer. The blog will offer interviews with hearing participants and tech experts and will provide live coverage of the hearings. The blog includes full blog interactive features allowing comments.

The hearings will run three days on the campus of The George Washington University and is open to the public, with a final day on November 9 open only to law enforcers and government officials. A sampling of topics include:

• How Will We Communicate in the Next Tech-ade?
• Social Networking
• User-generated Content
• Benefits to Consumers of Living in an Instant Information Culture
• RFID Technology
• New Products - New Challenges
• How to Make Sense of it All - Consumers' Perspective

The full agenda of workshops may be viewed on the Tech-ade site.