Lawmakers Demand Archive of Technology Giants for Antitrust Investigation

Lawmakers leading a major bipartite technology antitrust investigation are demanding documents – including communications from top executives – from Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google's Alphabet.

<p class = "canvas-atom-text-canvas Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Friday, the & nbsp;Judiciary Committee of the House& nbsp; announced that it has made requests to technology companies for information on a wide range of topics – including market share, competition and acquisitions. "data-reactid =" 16 "> On Friday, the House Judiciary Committee announced that it has sent requests to technology companies requesting information on a wide range of topics – including market share, competition and acquisitions. .

Representative David Cicilline (D-RI), who heads the Antitrust Subcommittee, called the document request a "milestone".

"We expect stakeholders that they take this opportunity to provide information to the Committee to ensure that the Internet is an engine of opportunity for everyone, not just for a number of people. restricted access controllers, "Cicilline said in a statement.

Judiciary Speaker Jerry Nadler (D-NY) said the documents would give the committee a better idea of ​​how technology giants are using their market power and congressional reaction.

<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "" The open Internet has brought enormous benefits to Americans, including a plethora of economic opportunities, massive investments and new avenues for online education, however, it is increasingly evident that a handful of companies have managed to capture a disproportionate share of commerce and online communications, "said Nadler.."data-reactid =" 20 ">" The open Internet has brought enormous benefits to Americans, including a wealth of economic opportunities, massive investments and new avenues for online education. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that a small number of companies capture a disproportionate share of online commerce and communications, "Nadler said..

More

The Republicans of the committee emphasized the importance of keeping the mind open until investigators come to a conclusion.

"This information is critical to determining whether anti-competitive behavior is occurring, whether our antitrust agencies should investigate specific issues, and whether our antitrust laws need to be improved to better promote competition in digital markets," said Doug. Collins (R-GA), the best Republican of the House Judiciary Committee.

<p class = "web-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The committee requests communications to and from the top frames of every business, including & nbsp;Mark Zuckerberg& nbsp;Sheryl Sandberg, Larry Page, Sundar Pichai, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook and others. Legislators want to check emails, texts and encrypted messages on different topics. "Data-reactid =" 43 "> The committee requests communications with the leaders of each company, including Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg and Larry Page, Sundar Pichai, Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, etc. Legislators want to see emails, texts and encrypted messages on various topics.

They ask each company to detail the market share of its platforms, products and services, as well as its main competitors and customers. The committee also requests documents relating to antitrust issues, previous litigation and investigations.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "In a & nbsp;letter& nbsp; on Facebook, the committee requests documents regarding the acquisitions of Instagram, WhatsApp and Onavo. Legislators also want to be informed of the decision to integrate Instagram, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. "Data-reactid =" 45 "> In a letter to Facebook, the committee requests documents regarding the acquisitions of Instagram, WhatsApp and Onavo.The legislators also want to know about the decision to integrate Instagram, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "In the & nbsp;letter& nbsp; Alphabet President Larry Page asked for information about the YouTube, DoubleClick, Android and other acquisitions. Legislators also ask Larry Page, the CEO of Alphabet, several questions about Google's advertising practices and search results. "In the letter to Alphabet CEO Larry Page, lawmakers ask for information on YouTube, DoubleClick, Android and other acquisitions." Lawmakers also ask Larry Page, CEO, several questions. Alphabet, Google's advertising practices and search results.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Legislators are looking for more information on a multitude from & nbsp;Amazon& nbsp; acquisitions – including Audible, Whole Foods and Zappos. They also investigate the company's prices, advertising rules, and search rankings for products sold on the site. "Data-reactid =" 47 "> Legislators are looking for more information on a large number of Amazon acquisitions, including Audible, Whole Foods and Zappos. They also check prices, rules and regulations. advertising material and the company's rankings for products sold on the site.

<p class = "canvas-atom-canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "According to the & nbsp;letter& nbsp; sent to CEO Tim Cook, the committee seems particularly interested in & nbsp;Apple App Store. "data-reactid =" 48 "> According to the letter to CEO Tim Cook, the committee seems particularly interested in the Apple App Store.

More

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Up to now, the committee has held two public hearings as part of the investigation: representatives of the four companies & nbsp;testified& nbsp; in & nbsp;July. "data-reactid =" 69 "> Up to now, the committee has held two public hearings as part of the investigation, with representatives of the four companies testifying in July.

The story continues

"I appreciate the willingness of some technology companies to appear before our committee and answer questions. However, we still need more information on their business practices at this stage of fact finding, "said Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI).

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "But after the July hearing, Cicillin has criticized Google, Facebook and Amazon for their "evasive" answers. & Nbsp;In an interview& nbsp; Earlier this year, Cicilline told Yahoo Finance that it would likely interview the leaders of these companies as part of the investigation. "Data-reactid =" 75 "> After the July hearing, Cicilline criticized Google, Facebook and Amazon for their" escape attempts "." In an interview earlier this year, Cicillin told Yahoo Finance that he would likely be questioning CEOs of companies as part of the investigation.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The document request marks an escalation of the l & # 39; Committee investigation, as technology companies face increasing pressure from other antitrust regulators.FTCThe Department of Justice and the Attorneys General of the States review all corporate practices. "Data-reactid =" 76 "> The document request marks an escalation of the committee's investigation, as high-tech companies are facing increasing pressure from antitrust forces. state attorneys general review all business practices.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Monday, the attorneys general of 48 states, the district of Columbia and Puerto Rico announced & nbsp;a rustproof probe& nbsp; on Google. Last week another group of state attorneys general announced & nbsp;he was investigating& nbsp; Facebook. "data-reactid =" 77 "> On Monday, the attorneys general of 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico announced the opening of an anti-rust investigation on Google." Last week another group of attorneys general announced the opening of a survey.

The Antitrust Subcommittee of the House of Representatives of Justice was scheduled to hold its third hearing this week, but postponed it to an unannounced date.

Amazon, Facebook, Google and Apple did not immediately respond to the request for comment.

The committee wants answers from the tech giants by October 14th.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Jessica Smith is a Yahoo Finance reporter based in Washington, D.C. Follow her on Twitter at @ JessicaASmith8."data-reactid =" 81 ">Jessica Smith is a Yahoo Finance reporter based in Washington, D.C. Follow her on Twitter at @ JessicaASmith8.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "The Trump administration is considering a ban on the flavored electronic cigarette"data-reactid =" 82 "> The Trump administration considers the ban on flavored e-cigarettes

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Attorneys General Partner to Attack Google"data-reactid =" 83 "> Attorneys General team up to attack Google

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "CBO warns tariffs could hurt economic growth"data-reactid =" 84 "> CBO warns tariffs could hurt economic growth

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Amazon, Google and Facebook testify against the digital sales tax in France"data-reactid =" 85 "> Amazon, Google and Facebook testify against the digital sales tax in France

More