Facebook wants FTC technical criticism chairman to step down from antitrust rulings

Amazon is not alone in asking Federal Trade Commission President Lina Khan to go out of business. the the Wall Street newspaper reports that Facebook has asked the FTC to remove Khan from discussions over whether or not the regulator should pursue another antitrust case against the social network. It cannot be impartial, Facebook argued, because it has “consistently” accused Facebook of offenses that would warrant an antitrust case.

We asked the FTC for comment. Khan has already said she will speak to ethics officials at the commission if she is concerned about having to recuse herself.

Khan openly criticized not only “big tech” companies like Amazon and Facebook, but also a US antitrust system that she said was inadequate to contain corporate abuse. These companies are clearly nervous that Khan will pursue further action, including an ongoing antitrust complaint against Facebook. This challenge won’t necessarily protect tech giants from disruption of the status quo – the FTC and politicians have not been shy about wanting to crack down on these companies before Khan takes on his new role.