Deborah Platt Majoras has resigned as chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, effective later this month, the FTC announced last week.

Direct marketing sources praised the outgoing chairman.

"Throughout her tenure, Chairman Majoras has been both a strong advocate for consumers on a variety of issues, including privacy protection, data security, and marketing and a champion of strong self-regulation as an effective tool for driving responsible business practices," said John A. Greco Jr., CEO of the Direct Marketing Association in a statement."

Majoras was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2004. Prior to that, she served as principal deputy assistant attorney general of the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust division.