A new FTC era | Evolving data enforcement and the road to 2026

What can businesses expect from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on privacy and data enforcement as we move into 2026? In this episode of The Data Chronicles, host Scott Loughlin is joined by Cobun Zweifel-Keegan, Managing Director at the IAPP, for a practical year-end review of the FTC’s 2025 enforcement priorities and what they signal for the year ahead.

 

Together, Scott and Cobun break down how a change in administration reshaped the agency’s focus this year, with heightened attention on children’s and teens’ privacy, COPPA enforcement, cross-platform data collection, and growing concerns around the sale of Americans’ sensitive information to foreign adversary countries. They also discuss the FTC’s evolving view of privacy as both a consumer protection and national security issue.

 

The conversation also covers the operational and strategic impact of the FTC operating with only two sitting commissioners, and how today’s enforcement posture compares with the more aggressive approach under the prior administration.