Here is an example of a message you can leave with the Federal Trade Commission (or you can just wing it!):
Hello, I’m [Your Name], from [City, State].
I’m calling to urge the FTC to use its antitrust powers to regulate Facebook's monopoly power over our online lives.
The FTC should take simple steps to reign in Facebook's power:
- Spin off Facebook subsidiaries Whatsapp and Instagram into independent companies
- Enforce stronger privacy standards to prevent Facebook from lending out its big data machine to third-parties like Cambridge Analytica
- Enforce interoperability standards—the same standards that allow consumers to call someone with Verizon service, even though they have AT&T
Thank you for your time.
Tips:
- Be friendly and polite - the person picking up the phone will find it hard to ignore you if you are polite.
- Don’t feel like you have to answer any specific questions or give any personal information if you don’t feel comfortable.
More information
The Antitrust Case Against Facebook, Google and Amazon
Wall Street Journal. 16 January 2018.
Wall Street Journal. 16 January 2018.