US Justice Department promises ‘fair-minded’ probe on Big Tech
The US Justice Department says its new review of Big Tech’s market power will delve into competition “in an objective and fair-minded manner.”
The agency says it wants to ensure that Americans have access to free markets and that companies compete on merits.
Officials didn’t name any companies, but the targets are most likely Apple, Amazon, Google and Facebook. All four were the subject of congressional hearings last week.
Senior tech firm executives were grilled by US politicians. AAP
The Justice Department says it will take into account the “widespread concerns” about social media, search engines and online retail services expressed by consumers, businesses and entrepreneurs.
Its antitrust division is seeking information from the public, including those in the tech industry.
In a statement, top antitrust official Makan Delrahim worries that without meaningful competition, “digital platforms may act in ways that are not responsive to consumer demands.”
The focus of the investigation closely mirrors a bipartisan probe of Big Tech undertaken by the House Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust.
Its chairman, Democrat David Cicilline of Rhode Island, has sharply criticised the conduct of Silicon Valley giants and said legislative or regulatory changes may be needed. He has called breaking up the companies a last resort.
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