US launches wide-ranging survey of giant groups in the Internet

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The US administration on Tuesday launched an extensive investigation to determine whether social networking groups, search engines, and e-commerce have an undeniable influence on the markets.

These companies have witnessed problems related to privacy and personal data. But these huge Silicon Valley groups are accused of becoming almost monopolistic at the expense of their users.

The statement does not name any companies targeted for its actions, but it seems that the target groups are Google, Twitter, Facebook and Amazon, each dominated by the market.

While specializing in the sale of iPhone and other electronic devices, the Apple group could also be targeted because it operates the online store, the Store.

According to a statement, the antitrust division was examining "whether the major Internet platforms had gained market power, whether they practiced practices that limited competition, restricted innovation, harmed consumers and how to do it".

For months, parliamentarians and the US competition authority have sought to address leading technology companies.

Google, for example, is suspected of favoring the search results offered by its own services at the expense of its competitors.

In June, the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives opened an investigation into "competition in the digital market," stating that "few dominant platforms are not subject to market control" were "owned by an authority". exceptional in terms of trade, communication and information on the Internet.

The Consumer Protection Agency also conducts investigations.

– The concerns of Internet pioneers – the authorities state in their statement that they want to "take into account the widespread concerns among consumers, businesses and subcontractors", who have expressed their fear of search services on social networks and electronic commerce platforms.

"Without significant competition discipline, digital platforms can use means that do not meet the demands of consumers," said McNen Delerheim, US Attorney General's Competition Officer.

US authorities are not the only ones to criticize the practices of the big Internet companies.

Fapet, Google's parent company, has been heavily sanctioned by the European Commission after being accused of violating the competition rules. Last week, she announced the opening of a "thorough investigation" on Amazon, accused of using data from an independent retailer who used them to her advantage.

US market regulators are not only able to impose fines if the rules of competition are not respected, but also to provide for "structural" solutions to ensure greater market competitiveness, including disbadembly.

"Such sanctions seem unlikely," said Dan Yves, an badyst at Leadbus Securities.

"These giant battles between Washington and technology companies are making more noise than damage to the industry" and "will likely result in some adjustments in the business model but not a forced solution to the activities," he writes in a memo.

Patrick Morhead, founder of Moore's Insights and Strategy, echoed the same point of view. "I do not think that the United States tends to dismantle these companies because they fear that Chinese companies will develop," he said.

Apple and Twitter have not made any comments.

Last week, Google sent a congressional hearing to its director of economic affairs, Adam Cohen, who confirmed that the search engine "has helped to impose price cuts and expand the choice of consumers and traders to the states. United States and around the world ".

Facebook is accused of having taken the upper hand or imitated all its competitors to impose itself in social networks, leaving investors reluctant to support their rivals as they realize that they will not be able to hold on for long. .

In any case, the companies concerned could respond to the accusations Wednesday by publishing Wednesday's results for Facebook and Thursday for Amazon and Alfabet.