Social Media Advertising and the FTC: Deception and the Architecture of Compliance

In this episode of "Clearly Conspicuous," consumer protection attorney Anthony DiResta breaks down why social media advertising has become a top Federal Trade Commission (FTC) priority for 2026 and how long‑standing consumer protection rules against deception and unfairness apply to today's influencer-heavy and algorithm-driven marketing. He explains how brands use social platforms to leverage trust, reduce consumer resistance to ads and benefit from algorithmic amplification while increasing legal risk when sponsorships aren't clearly disclosed or when responsibility is spread across brands, creators, agencies and platforms. Mr. DiResta also outlines the FTC's expectations for businesses utilizing online advertising, as put forth in its Endorsement Guides. He concludes by highlighting why companies must have a real social media compliance program with policies, training, monitoring and corrective action going into 2026.