The word “data” can trigger some intense reactions, putting up metaphorical red flags in some consumers’ eyes. This is especially true in conversations around the technology industry. But we can get a clearer understanding of some common misconceptions about data by stepping outside of the digital world and into, say, your favorite neighborhood sandwich shop. […]
Must-Read New Research On Competition And Tech From leverage to free speech to big data, the past weeks have provided us with exciting new research in competition and tech. We’ve compiled some recent must-read papers, including: Patrick Todd: Digital Platforms And The Leverage Problem Neil Chilson and Casey Mattox: [The] Breakup Speech: Can Antitrust Fix the Relationship […]
Earlier today, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing regarding data privacy and competition. While some panel participants argued that competition and privacy law should be conflated, it’s important to remember that practitioners and policy experts alike agree there are strong, evidence-based reasons to keep them separate: — Data is not essential for companies to […]
Tomorrow, the House Judiciary Committee will hold another hearing on tech, with an eye towards data, privacy and competition. As rhetoric surrounding leading tech services heats up, and opinions increasingly get in the way of facts, here are three important points to keep in mind: — Privacy is not a competition issue, and antitrust tools […]
This morning, ideas contributor for WIRED and author Antonio Garcia Martinez argued that the mantra “data is the new oil” is deceptively simple and does not accurately describe data’s worth to technology companies. More from Martinez and other leaders below: While data may be internally valuable, it isn’t a fungible commodity. “Sure, you could maybe […]
Recent pieces from The Economist on competition and the tech industry all but ignore competition, the expansive definition of the consumer welfare standard, and the importance of the U.S. due process system. In particular, in rating the level of competition among larger firms, The Economist gives Apple a “green light” and Google and Facebook a […]
This week, the FTC held its sixth in a series of hearings about competition policy in the 21st century. Below are a few highlights from some leading experts in the field. Data is a widely available resource, not a commodity Daniel Sokol, University of Florida Levin College of Law: “Big data: There’s no one company […]
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 […]
In case you missed the latest FTC hearings on competition and consumer welfare, we’ve amassed the 7 best highlights from experts. Quotes are below with the video linked. 1. Josh Wright, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School: Compared to the E.U., the U.S. relies on empirical evidence of actual harm, not suspicion over potential harm. […]
Ahead of today’s hearings that will cover tech platforms and political voice, it’s essential to note that plenty of social media, text, and voice applications exist, and consumers use multiple to communicate on a daily basis. They get news from a variety of on-and-offline sources. Choice and competition are hallmarks of the tech sector, with […]
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.
No spam, we promise.
