(USNewsMag.com) – For a long time, Big Tech companies have been accused of favoring their own products over those of competitors on platforms where the playing field is supposed to be level. Congress (and other countries’ governments) have said the behavior is a violation of antitrust laws. To combat it, lawmakers are trying to pass a bill, but now the companies and their allies are using Russia and China as an excuse to try to stop the legislation.
Big Tech allies point to China, Russia threat in push to squash antitrust bill https://t.co/xt07NP0rhp pic.twitter.com/vlV2loy0KS
— The Hill (@thehill) February 23, 2022
The Senate is set to consider the American Innovation and Choice Online Act soon to prevent tech companies from favoring their own platforms. For example, Apple shouldn’t be allowed to monopolize apps or force consumers to pay high prices for services just because it blocks other options. Michael Mandel, the chief economist at the Progressive Policy Institute, opposes the legislation. He told The Hill that the government shouldn’t disassemble its “strongest tech companies at the same time [its] fighting a tech war.”
Although arguments against antitrust laws for the purpose of national security aren’t new, in this case, it is somewhat laughable. Many of the tech companies rely on Chinese companies more and more for manufacturing and customers. If the companies were truly concerned, they would break off all ties with the questionable actors, wouldn’t they?
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