Why Everyone Is Talking About FTC's New Review of Platform Scam Rules

On September 24, the US Federal Trade Commission asked the public for opinions on updating rules to hold platforms accountable for government and business impersonation scams.

What happened

Fact Box:

• Announcing Agency: US Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• Date of Announcement: September 24, 2026, at 12:00
• Core Topic: Considering updates to rules regarding impersonation of government and businesses.
• Public Comment Deadline: Not disclosed in available materials.

Why it matters

What is Impersonation?

The term 'impersonator' refers to someone who mimics another person's behavior or actions [2]. While Wikipedia notes that actors using costumes and speech patterns for historical figures in plays are part of a 'living history' tradition, the FTC's focus is strictly on fraud rather than entertainment.

The Shift in Focus:

Previously, rules primarily targeted individual users. The current discussion marks a new approach by examining whether the platforms themselves facilitate these scams, moving beyond just punishing the individuals committing the fraud.

The numbers

Comparison of Regulatory Scope

Note on Financials:

No specific budget figures or penalty amounts were disclosed in the released materials, making financial calculations impossible at this stage.

Fact-check

Claim: The FTC is currently updating its rules to address platforms' role in promoting impersonation scams.

Status: TRUE

Source: [1]

Claim: A specific deadline for submitting public comments has been announced.

Status: UNVERIFIED

Source: [1] (Materials state the deadline is undisclosed).

Claim: Other government agencies or corporations have officially weighed in on this specific FTC proposal.

Status: UNVERIFIED

Source: [1] (The FTC noted that only its internal discussion results are reflected at this point).

What's next

Timeline:

The press release from September 24, 2026, serves only to announce the start of the public comment period. No official roadmap for new rulemaking has been released.

Expectations:

The FTC has not yet announced a specific schedule for the next steps or when a final decision on the rules will be made. Industry reactions and further notices are expected to follow immediately after the September 24 announcement.

Sources

1. FTC Seeks Public Comment on Whether to Update Rule on Impersonation of Government and Businesses to Address Platforms’ Role in Promoting Impersonation Scams — FTC 보도자료(미 연방거래위)
2. Impersonator — Wikipedia (en)