In November 2007, the Federal Trade Commission convened public hearings on the subject of Protecting Consumers in the Next Tech-Ade. The FTC heard from more than 100 witnesses about new technologies on the horizon and their potential effects on consumers. Topics included: * The changing nature of consumer products * Mobile devices and marketing * Data security and privacy * Convergence * The evolving Internet * Payment systems and trends * Advertising and marketing trends * Demographic shifts