What Happened
The Federal Trade Commission issued a report to Congress on the agency's oversight of domestic private-adoption practices. The report says families often work with third-party intermediaries that help facilitate adoptions for fees that can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
Congress directed the FTC, through the fiscal year 2026 funding bill, to keep monitoring for unfair or deceptive business practices in this area and to report back within 120 days.
The FTC said that after reviewing consumer complaints, it sent warning letters in September 2024 to 31 adoption intermediaries, reminding them to advertise fairly and honestly. The agency also noted that the Consumer Review Fairness Act bars standardized contract terms that prohibit, threaten or punish customers for posting negative reviews.
Why This Matters
Private adoption is not a normal shopping trip. People are making expensive, emotionally loaded decisions where bad information can hurt families, birth parents and children. That is exactly the kind of market where glossy promises, hidden terms and "please never review us honestly" clauses deserve extra sunlight.
The FTC did not announce a new enforcement action here. It reported monitoring, prior warning letters, consumer guidance and a request that consumers and honest businesses report problematic conduct through ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The Dumb Part With The Baby Paperwork
The dumb part is that this even has to be a consumer-protection category. Adoption already comes with enough law, heartbreak, hope, money and paperwork to make a filing cabinet sweat. The last thing families need is a marketplace where somebody treats vulnerability like a premium lead funnel.
If your contract has to tell people not to complain about your adoption services, maybe the problem is not the review section.
The Bottom Line
The Commission approved the report 2-0. The real stupid shit is that one of the most serious family decisions a person can make still needs the same basic reminder as a shady online course: tell the truth, do not hide the bad reviews and stop turning desperation into a fee schedule.
Sources
FTC: FTC issues report to Congress on adoption practices
FTC: Oversight Practices Concerning Domestic Private Adoption report page
FTC Consumer Advice: What are adoption intermediaries telling you?