The FTC takes the confidentiality of complainants and witnesses seriously. We will protect your identity and any confidential information you provide to the fullest extent of the law. We will not disclose information that could reasonably be expected to reveal your identity, except as required by law, for law enforcement purposes, or as required in a judicial or administrative proceeding.
Under the FTC statute and governing rules (15 U.S.C. §§ 46(f), 57b-2 and 16 C.F.R. §§ 4.9-4.11), confidential information may under certain circumstances be used in legal proceedings, or shared with other government agencies for official law enforcement purposes, or with Congress in response to an official request. Information designated as confidential may in some cases be required to be released in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request but is generally exempt from disclosure.
Answers to frequently asked questions on confidentiality are available at Frequently Asked Questions on the Confidential Treatment of Information Submitted to the FTC.