Three major advertising companies, WPP, Dentsu, and Publicis, settled with the FTC over allegations they colluded to restrict ad revenue for conservative publishers by labeling their content as misinformation. The agreement, filed in Texas federal court, bars the firms from coordinating policies that limit ads on publishers’ news, political, or social commentary content. The companies denied wrongdoing but acknowledged the settlement’s necessity to address claims of unfair targeting of right-leaning media.

The FTC accused the firms of reducing ad placements on conservative platforms like Breitbart, arguing this harmed competition and stifled “lawful but disfavored” content. Breitbart and similar outlets lost significant revenue due to the policies. FTC chair Andrew N. Ferguson praised the settlement for restoring balance to the digital news ecosystem, though no financial penalties were imposed.

The case aligns with the Trump administration’s broader push against perceived anti-conservative bias in tech. Last year, Ferguson launched an inquiry into social media’s content moderation practices, citing concerns about silencing political speech. The FTC also approved the Omnicom-Interpublic merger under conditions prohibiting politically motivated ad boycotts and began investigating Media Matters, a liberal nonprofit accused of colluding with advertisers to harm conservative media relationships. Elon Musk’s X platform criticized Media Matters’ influence, while the group sued the FTC, leading to a judge blocking the probe.

The settlement underscores growing scrutiny of ad-tech practices and regulatory efforts to curb perceived ideological bias. As the FTC navigates these disputes, questions persist about how platforms balance content moderation with free expression and market fairness.