The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is an independent agency of the United States government that is responsible for enforcing consumer protection and antitrust laws. The agency was established in 1914 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. The FTC's primary mission is to promote competition and protect consumers from unfair and deceptive business practices. The agency has the authority to investigate and prosecute companies that engage in anticompetitive behavior or violate consumer protection laws. The FTC also works to educate consumers about their rights and how to avoid scams and other fraudulent activities.