Promotes a dual mission to protect consumers and promote competition. Provides protections to consumers by stopping unfair, deceptive or fraudulent practices in the marketplace. Conducts investigations, sue companies and people that violate the law, develop rules to ensure a vibrant marketplace, and educate consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities. Collects reports on hundreds of issues from data security and deceptive advertising to identity theft and Do Not Call violations, and make them available to law enforcement agencies worldwide for follow-up. By enforcing antitrust laws, the FTC helps ensure that markets are open and free. The FTC will challenge anti-competitive mergers and business practices that could harm consumers by resulting in higher prices, lower quality, fewer choices, or reduced rates of innovation.