Lawmakers, Taking Aim at Big Tech, Push Sweeping Overhaul of Antitrust

The bills set up a showdown with the tech industry’s powerful influence armies. Over the past decade, the industry has assembled the largest group of lobbyists in Washington, and the companies sponsor think tanks, fund academic papers and employ top antitrust litigation firms to defend their businesses.

Some of the proposals are likely to gain widespread support among lawmakers, including one focused on getting more funding for antitrust agencies through higher merger fees; the Senate recently passed a similar bill. Another bill that could gain traction would give consumers the ability to take their digital history to other websites, which would weaken the stranglehold that large companies like Facebook have over personal data.

But other bills will be harder to pass. One would make it illegal for a company like Google, which has a dominant search engine, to own another business that relied heavily on online search. For example, the company would not be allowed to favor search results for its YouTube video service under the new law, and it could be required to spin off the video business if it favored it over competitors. Another bill would prohibit a dominant company from using its weight to exclude rivals and from demanding conditions, like buying goods and services from the company, of others that wanted access to its platform.

Adam Kovacevich, the head of Chamber of Progress, a lobbying group with Big Tech members, said consumers would be deprived of popular products if the bills succeeded.

“Banning conveniences like Amazon Basics brand batteries, Apple’s Find my Phone tool or Google Maps appearing in Google search results are ideas that would spark a consumer backlash,” he said.

Facebook and Google declined to comment. Amazon and Apple didn’t immediately respond to requests for comments.

Some smaller tech companies hailed the bills.

Roku, the online streaming device maker, said in a statement that the largest tech companies “flagrantly ignore” existing antitrust laws and harmed consumers.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/technology/big-tech-antitrust-bills.html