These consent decrees apply for 20 years, an absurd length of time in the fast-changing technology industry.

WSJ: Crovitz: Silicon Valley's 'Suicide Impulse'

This is an example of how the agencies sometimes use consent decrees to advocate for various policy initiatives.

FORBES: FTC Orders Merged Drug Companies Not to Do "Pay-for-Delay" Settlements

They are both repeatedly the subject of settlements, consent decrees, non-prosecution agreements, cease and desist orders and the rest of the regulator arsenal.

FORBES: Deloitte and Standard Chartered Bank: In Service To Profit Above All

There have been many recent agency actions on climate, various consent decrees and court rulings, and EPA is moving to implement its National Enforcement Initiatives.

FORBES: Energy And The Election

Companies are understandably wary about agreeing to consent decrees that increase their exposure to private lawsuits, and regulators should prefer meaningful quick fixes over lengthy litigation anyway.

FORBES: FTC's Google Settlement a "Third Way" Approach for Antitrust Enforcement

During the past few years, the FTC has extracted consent decrees from Google, Facebook and Twitter on how they generate advertising revenues by using information about their visitors.

WSJ: Crovitz: Silicon Valley's 'Suicide Impulse'