The FTC announced that, as part of its Hearings Initiative, "The FTC's Role in a Changing World," it will hold hearings on the FTC's international work.  The sessions will be held in Washington, D.C., on March 25-26, 2019.

These hearings will explore the FTC's global role in light of globalization, technological change, and the increasing number of enforcement and regulatory agencies around the world. 

The FTC is also seeking public comment on these issues.  Public comments are due by May 31, 2019.  Some of the specific questions that FTC is looking for comment on include:

• How should the FTC engage internationally regarding its competition, consumer protection, and privacy enforcement priorities in light of changes in the economy, evolving business practices, new technologies, and international developments?
• What role should "soft law" (e.g., best practices/ guiding principles) play in promoting convergence or interoperability in policy approaches?
• From a practical perspective, what are the consequences of having differing approaches internationally to competition, consumer protection, and privacy enforcement around artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies?
• What are the most important issues on which the FTC should engage with foreign counterparts and international organizations?