Do You Support Congress' ‘Top-to-Bottom’ Antitrust Probe of Big Tech?

What’s the story?

• The House Judiciary Committee has announced it’s launching a bipartisan, massive antitrust investigation into major tech companies, including Google, Amazon, and Facebook.
• "A small number of dominant, unregulated platforms have extraordinary power over commerce, communication, and information online," the Judiciary Committee noted in a news release that does not specify any companies.

"Based on investigative reporting and oversight by international policymakers and enforcers, there are concerns that these platforms have the incentive and ability to harm the competitive process."

What are people saying?

• "The open internet has delivered enormous benefits to Americans, including a surge of economic opportunity, massive investment, and new pathways for education online,” said House Judiciary Chair Jerry Nadler (D-NY). “But there is growing evidence that a handful of gatekeepers have come to capture control over key arteries of online commerce, content, and communications. ... Given the growing tide of concentration and consolidation across our economy, it is vital that we investigate the current state of competition in digital markets and the health of the antitrust laws.”
• But Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), the ranking member of the antitrust subcommittee, warned against jumping to conclusions.

“As the world becomes more dependent on a digital marketplace, we must discuss how the regulatory framework is built to ensure fairness and competition. I believe these hearings can be informative, but it is important for us to avoid any predetermined conclusions."

What do you think?

Do you support the House Judiciary Committee launching a launches 'top-to-bottom' antitrust probe of big tech? Take action and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStock / Warchi)