If you're going to police big tech, you've got to know your way around an algorithm.

From American Public Media, this is Marketplace Tech, I'm Megan McCarty-Kareno.

The Federal Trade Commission is tasked with protecting U.S. consumers from unfair business

practices.

And in recent years, it's set its sights on regulating big tech.

A new Office of Technology announced last month will be at the forefront of such efforts.

It's led by Stephanie Wynn, the FTC's chief technology officer.

She says it's critical work when you consider how tech has seeped into every corner of the

economy.

If we think about the distinction between what is a tech versus a non-tech company, that's

becoming less relevant, especially in our constantly connected world.

It's really hard to find a company who doesn't have some tech component to their business

model and how they function.

It cuts across sectors and industries from healthcare to transportation to consumer applications.

And that's why the Office of Technology will be a key nexus point for our consumer

protection and competition work.

Next year, we spoke to FTC chair Lena Kahn about modernizing the Office with regards

to antitrust laws and data privacy.

How does the Office of Technology fit into those goals?

The way that I think about this is sort of in three ways.

First is building a core group of expert staff and piloting this team across the agency.

We're really embracing more interdisciplinary collaboration, having technologists work

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