The FTC and Worker Surveillance: A Conversation with Federal Trade Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya

Join us for a unique opportunity to hear from FTC Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya, on the relevance of consumer protection and antitrust laws to workplace surveillance! 

The 21st century has seen an explosion in worker surveillance and “algorithmic management” systems. The architects of these systems say they will increase worker productivity and, ultimately, lift wages; critics warn of mass unemployment. Labor and employment law have long grappled with this back and forth. Commissioner Bedoya will discuss how the nation’s consumer protection, privacy, and competition agency, the Federal Trade Commission, may be able to confront it.

We will also have a conversation between Commissioner Bedoya and NYU Wagner Labor Initiative Director Terri Gerstein more broadly about the role of antitrust law and the FTC in protecting workers.

Commissioner Bedoya’s comments will be the latest in a series related to the relevance of antitrust and fair competition laws to America's workers. Commissioner Bedoya has emerged as a powerful national voice in favor of using antitrust laws in a broad and visionary way, including to address forms of unfair competition that harm workers, leading to lower wages and benefits, reduced job mobility, and fewer employment options. He has previously given comments regarding: 

• Why misclassification of workers is a form of unfair competition; 
• How corporate concentration can lead to fewer and worse job opportunities for workers; 
• Why worker organizing and collective bargaining should not be considered a violation of antitrust laws; and 
• How merger review can consider the impact of mergers on workers. 

Commissioner Bedoya’s writing is helping to shape a new understanding of the potential of antitrust laws to counteract the imbalance of power between corporations and working people. Please join us for what is sure to be a thought-provoking, timely conversation. Reception to follow.

Space is limited. Please note that all guests must be registered on Eventbrite to gain access to the event. Registered guests without an NYU ID will need to check in with security before being granted access to the building.