Now more than ever, search engines are a staple in the everyday lives of consumers. The search market is consumer-driven and hypercompetitive, with alternating between search platforms proving to be markedly easy. Search neutrality doctrines could hamper that “ability to switch,” harming search innovation well into the future. As you consider the current state of […]
Experts agree that the politicization of antitrust could have unintended, harmful consequences for consumers and businesses alike. Beyond these immediate consequences, it has the potential to inflict harm for future companies and consumers as well—altering today’s effective, consumer-driven enforcement framework. As you assess the DOJ’s lawsuit against Google, keep these evidence-based insights in mind: — […]
With the House Judiciary Committee’s Antitrust Subcommittee digital markets report imminent, we want to bring you a useful guide through the biggest issues in antitrust in the tech industry and our go-to resources. Define and dive in to these key concepts: – Antitrust – Consumer Welfare Standard – Kill-Zone Myth – Multihoming – Network Effects – […]
Today’s leading tech companies are often at the center of discussions about privacy and data security under the guise of antitrust issues. As some people try to thread the needle between competition and other political objectives, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the scope of antitrust. What is antitrust for? And, similarly, what […]
Earlier today, Richard Epstein published an extensive review of Tim Wu’s new book and overall antitrust framework, arguing Wu’s criticism of leading tech services “overstates the benefits and ignores the high costs of an aggressive application of the antitrust laws.” Epstein is the just the latest to rebut Wu’s arguments—Alec Stapp of the Niskanen Center […]
Yesterday, the Financial Times editorial board pointed to four areas of increased regulatory scrutiny of leading tech services: bias, privacy, intermediary liability, and antitrust. Below are key developments to help understand each issue. Additionally, it’s critical to remember that tech continues to buck trends that plague the broader economy, fueled by competition. Investment and R&D […]
This afternoon, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary will hold a hearing on the differences in antitrust enforcement between Europe and the United States. The American approach to antitrust has provided enormous benefits to consumers, small businesses, and large corporations alike. Regulators must not overlook the importance of the consumer welfare standard, protecting competition rather […]
New polling released today by CCIA’s Springboard Initiative shows that confidence in leading tech services remains high since the last poll in May 2018. These surveys contextualized consumers’ views on the tech sector, measuring consumer perceptions of seven industries (including media, hospitals, airlines, utilities, and pharmaceuticals) and the government. According to respondents, concern about over-regulation […]
As FTC hearings on competitiveness and consumer welfare continue this week, wanted to flag the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) new paper by senior fellow Joe Kennedy, titled, “Why The Consumer Welfare Standard Should Remain The Bedrock Of Antitrust Policy.” Kennedy’s core arguments are below. Contrary to critics, the consumer welfare standard goes well […]
On Wednesday, Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim spoke at the University of Haifa in Israel, saying “big platforms were once themselves start-ups,” and that regulators should “be cautious in any enforcement decision to not undermine the very innovation incentives that competition aims to protect.” Delrahim focused parts of his speech on data, raising numerous points […]
Hostility to innovation and technology diminishes the incredible Internet-enabled opportunities that leading tech services provide: empowering consumers, driving prices down and increasing choice, and providing platforms to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. It has given us a golden era of entertainment, knowledge, and everything from fashion startups, to booming mom and pop stores, to the latest app.
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