Are the FTC’s ethics rules shunning tech expertise?

Much of the debate about the revolving door between public agencies and private practice focuses on whether the ethical standards of enforcers like the Federal Trade Commission are strong enough to prevent regulatory capture or even corruption. Four FTC policy experts, including two former FTC technologists, recently published an essay arguing just the opposite, warning that the FTC’s “overbroad” conflict rules are actually hampering the agency’s mission – at least in terms of recruiting and retaining quality technology experts.