Congress will be taking a close look at the power of big tech.
The House Judiciary Committee announced Monday that it will hold a series of hearings as part of a bipartisan investigation into whether there is enough competition among U.S. technology companies.
While no companies were named, any investigation will inevitably touch on Amazon, Facebook, Google and Apple, all of which have come under increased scrutiny in recent years for their dominance in a variety of markets including social networking, online advertising, online search, e-commerce and mobile apps.
“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 included the names of both Democratic and Republican members. “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.”
“The Antitrust Subcommittee will conduct a top-to-bottom review of the market power held by giant tech platforms. This is the first time Congress has undertaken an investigation into this behavior.”
Arkansas cop tragically dies saving fiancée’s life just hours after proposing
Border K9 sniffs out 99 pounds of prohibited meat, plants and monitor lizard in suitcase from Thailand
Bear caught on camera perched atop New Mexico utility pole before reportedly suffering fatal electrocution
Teachers who once dated and share child arrested after classroom argument spiraled into violence: police
Jack Smith hit with criminal referral as GOP moves testimony fight toward prosecution
Trump salutes ‘great heroes’ as he attends dignified transfer of US service members killed in Jordan, Iraq
Survivor of Hamas terror attack in Israel slams Mamdani over ‘dangerous’ video about Netanyahu
Far-left ‘Squad’ Dems mix up Jewish colleagues in botched attack — then get burned by their own votes
Ethiopian Immigrant Arrested After Execution of 3 Rental Workers – Felt He Was Being Discriminated Against
Judge questions whether Hegseth’s testosterone plan undermines transgender troops ban
Newsom turns to Hunter Biden’s high-powered ex-lawyer as federal scrutiny closes in on his family, allies
Fox News Star Crushes Lindsey Graham’s Sister, Other Contenders in South Carolina Senate Poll
Trump gives emotional tribute to fallen Army Lt Tyler Feehan after flying grieving family on Air Force One
Musk Pledges $100 Million to ‘Historically Accurate’ Version of ‘The Odyssey’ with Mel Gibson as Director
Fox News Poll: Voters want major change amid economic and political discontent
One area of the investigation is likely to be particularly unwelcome among tech executives: The committee said it would look into whether existing antitrust laws and enforcement levels are adequate to address the growing concentration of power in the tech industry.
“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,” committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., said in the announcement.
The news comes just as the federal government has reportedly been preparing to ramp up its antitrust oversight of U.S. tech companies amid growing political pressure that has included increasing scrutiny from both parties.
Google and Amazon declined to comment. Requests for comment from Apple and Facebook were not immediately returned.
Calls to rein in major U.S. tech companies — either by cracking down on how the companies use their power or by breaking them up — began to circulate in recent years among some academics and activists but did not receive mainstream attention until the past year, when elected officials and even some in the tech industry began openly call for action.
Arkansas cop tragically dies saving fiancée’s life just hours after proposing
Border K9 sniffs out 99 pounds of prohibited meat, plants and monitor lizard in suitcase from Thailand
Bear caught on camera perched atop New Mexico utility pole before reportedly suffering fatal electrocution
Teachers who once dated and share child arrested after classroom argument spiraled into violence: police
Jack Smith hit with criminal referral as GOP moves testimony fight toward prosecution
Trump salutes ‘great heroes’ as he attends dignified transfer of US service members killed in Jordan, Iraq
Survivor of Hamas terror attack in Israel slams Mamdani over ‘dangerous’ video about Netanyahu
Far-left ‘Squad’ Dems mix up Jewish colleagues in botched attack — then get burned by their own votes
Ethiopian Immigrant Arrested After Execution of 3 Rental Workers – Felt He Was Being Discriminated Against
Judge questions whether Hegseth’s testosterone plan undermines transgender troops ban
Newsom turns to Hunter Biden’s high-powered ex-lawyer as federal scrutiny closes in on his family, allies
Fox News Star Crushes Lindsey Graham’s Sister, Other Contenders in South Carolina Senate Poll
Trump gives emotional tribute to fallen Army Lt Tyler Feehan after flying grieving family on Air Force One
Musk Pledges $100 Million to ‘Historically Accurate’ Version of ‘The Odyssey’ with Mel Gibson as Director
Fox News Poll: Voters want major change amid economic and political discontent
In March, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., publicly called for the break-up of Facebook, Google and Amazon. Since then, other prominent Democrats and even some Republicans have voiced support for either splitting up the major tech companies or taking action to address their power. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., recently told NBC News that he thought Warren’s plan to break up the companies might not go far enough.
While public sentiment has also turned on some tech companies, Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wis, the ranking member of the antitrust subcommittee, cautioned 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,” Sensenbrenner said. “I believe these hearings can be informative, but it is important for us to avoid any predetermined conclusions.”
Story cited here.
