US FTC leader Lina Khan announces resignation

High-profile lawsuits against tech giants defined Khan’s time at the US FTC.

The FTC has appointed a former Heritage Foundation researcher as its chief technology officer.

Lina Khan, a prominent advocate of strong antitrust enforcement, has announced her resignation as chair of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in a memo to staff. Her departure, set to occur in the coming weeks, marks the end of a tenure that challenged numerous corporate mergers and pushed for greater accountability among powerful companies.

During her leadership, Khan spearheaded high-profile lawsuits against Amazon, launched investigations into Microsoft, and blocked major deals, including Kroger’s planned $25 billion acquisition of Albertsons. Her efforts often focused on protecting consumers and workers from potential harms posed by dominant corporations.

Khan, the youngest person to lead the FTC, first gained recognition in 2017 for her work criticising Amazon’s market practices. She argued that tech giants exploited outdated antitrust laws, allowing them to sidestep scrutiny. Her aggressive approach divided opinion, with courts striking down some of her policies, including a proposed ban on noncompete clauses.

Following Khan’s exit, the FTC faces a temporary deadlock with two Republican and two Democratic commissioners. Republican Andrew Ferguson has assumed the role of chair, and a Republican majority is expected once the Senate approves Mark Meador, a pro-enforcement nominee, to complete the five-member commission.