The Trump administration does not give up technology giants.
On Monday, the Federal Trade Committee will face Mita in the court because of allegations that the social media giant has ridiculed the emerging competitors when it bought Instagram and WhatsApp. On April 21, the Ministry of Justice will argue that the federal judge must force Google to sell its Chrome web browser to reduce the power of the research monopoly.
Both cases, which helped spread a new era of scrutiny in fighting monopoly, were introduced during President Trump’s first term in his post. It was developed by the Biden Administration, which also filed monopoly claims against Amazon, Apple and Google Technology Technology.
Investors in the Silicon Valley and in Wall Street hoped that Mr. Trump would offer technology companies more respectful during his second term, as he promised to cancel the organization of industries. Some legal experts believe that the administration can still take a lighter hand on prohibiting mergers and setting pre -emptive regulations for technology.
But so far, the appointed people promised Mr. Trump to continue a lot of audit in the largest technology companies, despite the hopes of industry.
“I think they may not focus fully on the extent of Trump’s first relationship with stirring in this movement. This technology re -examining this technology” Bill Kovacic, the former FTC Chairman, said.
Here is what to know.
Who is responsible for the anti -monopoly application now?
Mr. Trump appointed Andrew Ferguson as Chairman of the Federal Trade Committee, which imposes anti -monopoly and consumer protection laws. Mr. Ferguson, a lawyer who spent most of his career to work for powerful Republican Senators, said he wanted to increase scrutiny in the roads that social media companies decide to decrease. For years, conservatives have complained that platforms like Facebook and YouTube are inappropriately monitored by right -wing views.
“I will throw every resource with the agency to prosecute the issues against the great technology that we go to,” said Mr. Ferguson in his appearance on the “Odd Lots” this year.
The new leader of the Anti -Monopath Department of the Ministry of Justice, Gail Slater, a veteran technology and media lawyer, worked at the White House during the first term of Mr. Trump. She also pledged to enforce anti -monopoly laws strongly.
“It is now an issue of the two parties, and there is a consensus on the need for a strong application to combat monopoly,” said Ms. Salter at an event hosted by Y Combinator this month.
Where does the main lawsuits to combat monopoly against technology giants stand?
Five governmental cases accuse technology companies of preserving illegal monopolies, all of which are moving across the courts. Companies deny these allegations.
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FTC filed a lawsuit against Meta in 2020, on the pretext that Instagram acquisitions in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014 violated the law using what the organizers call a “purchase or burial” strategy to eliminate its junior competitors. The experiment is expected to continue until July and a certificate of prominent figures, including Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.
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The Ministry of Justice filed a law against Google in 2020 because of allegations that it was involved in searching online. A federal judge spent a government last year and would make a three -week listening session on how to treat Google’s monopoly. The government suggested that the company sell Chrome, among other measures. Google suggested fewer restrictions and said she plans to appeal.
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In 2023, the Ministry of Justice accused Google of illegally dominating advertising technology. A federal judge listened to the arguments in this case last year, and the ruling is expected to be soon.
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FTC Amazon accused in a lawsuit in 2023 of pressure on young merchants who use its market for sale to consumers. A federal judge rejected Amazon’s attempt to reject the case last year. He is scheduled to go to the trial next year.
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The Ministry of Justice filed a lawsuit against Apple last year due to allegations that the intertwined ecosystem from the company makes it difficult for consumers to get rid of iPhone and iPad devices. Apple asked a federal judge to reject the case.
What about integration and acquisitions in the technology industry?
The Biden Administration tried and failed to ban many technical deals, including purchasing Meta to start a small virtual reality, inside. The batch to stop the acquisitions has sparked investors who support small companies that want to obtain a exchange by obtaining it by a technology giant.
Mr. Trump says they want to get out of the acquisitions that are not a competitive problem. Mrs. Salter expressed openness to the settlements proposed by companies – such as selling similar assets – which can help solve concerns about deals.
In late January, the Ministry of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Hewlett Packard Enterprise from the purchase of Juniper Networks, a network company, for $ 14 billion. It was the first lawsuit to challenge a technical deal in Mr. Trump’s second state.
During the Trump’s first administration, the Ministry of Justice stabbed in vain to buy AT & T for Time Warner.
What does this mean for the artificial intelligence race?
Last year, the Ministry of Justice and FTC agreed to divide the responsibility for the investigation if the largest players in artificial intelligence violate the anti -monopoly laws. The Ministry of Justice began an investigation into NVIDIA, while FTC seized Microsoft and its partner, Openai.
It is unclear whether these investigations will lead to lawsuits. The Trump administration has promised to clarify the way for American companies to develop artificial intelligence, including canceling an executive order belonging to the Biden era, which put the handrails on the use of technology.
The administration requested industry inputs on the best ways to move forward in policy on technology, which is the opening of companies and investors clicking on lower bases.
“I think it is extremely important to protect the competition in the area of artificial intelligence, but I think it is equally important that the government does not race to organize artificial intelligence,” said Mr. Ferguson on Bloomberg TV in March.