Big Tech and Antitrust Woes

By
Bryan
-
12215
22014
Antitrust Woes of Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Apple

There may be some upcoming woes for some of the biggest players in tech. It has recently been announced that both the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will be conducting antitrust investigations into Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple.

Antitrust laws regulate businesses to ensure and promote fair competition for the benefit of consumers. What is not entirely clear are the negative repercussions of the above-mentioned companies for the consumer due to the current lack of competition. These investigations will likely prompt an evaluation into these negative repercussions and determine if these corporations were acting in the public’s interest.

On June 3rd, the House of Representatives also announced their own investigations into multiple tech companies, including Google and Facebook, for behaviors that had ultimately harmed consumers. These investigations can potentially force large tech companies to change the way they approach certain portions of their current business strategies.

WhatsApp was purchased by Facebook in February 2014.

Previously, these companies would be able to purchase their competition or simply create similar services and leverage their market hold to dominate the competition. The perfect example of this is Facebook purchasing Instagram and WhatsApp to hold their social media dominance. This may not seem to have had any negative impacts to the customer but I’m sure this is what the investigations will work to uncover.

Issues surrounding privacy, scandals, and fake news have also plagued most of these tech giants. Two examples are the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the issues surrounding ‘deepfake’ technology. The Cambridge Analytica scandal happened in 2018 and involved the political consulting firm harvesting millions of individual’s personal data via their Facebook profiles. Then there is deepfake technology that allows human images to be generated by artificial intelligence. This means that fake videos and images can be created with celebrities or politicians saying or doing things that never truly happened. The inability for these companies to properly regulate these types of issues is likely another reason spurring the investigations.

An example of Deepfake technology with Jordan Peele impersonating President Obama made by Buzzfeed.

What does this mean? Well… probably nothing for a couple of years. The investigations themselves can take years to complete and, at this point, they have not even formally started. I do know the outcome will be exciting as it will likely shape Silicon Valley for years to come with a formal precedent in how and what these companies are capable and allowed to do.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

12215 comments

  444. belterra casino

    Pick accessible by computer Casino sites among ponderous hand-out online casino 5 minimum deposit best gambling games apache gold casino ritzy gravy for brand-new sportsperson

  457. In Staffing, anytime, so abstract are the agents recommended before the quantity’s superb place to suborn cialis online forum uncharted that the turning up urinalysis of block over and above at tests to seem the quotation progressive, forms to seem its prevalence. viagra samples generic viagra reviews

  462. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I think I would never understand.
    It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the
    hang of it!

  468. Do you mind if I quote a few of your posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage?
    My blog is in the exact same area of interest as yours and my users would
    definitely benefit from some of the information you provide here.

    Please let me know if this alright with you.
    Thanks!

  484. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really
    understand what you’re speaking about! Bookmarked. Please additionally talk
    over with my site =). We can have a link change agreement
    between us

  486. Excellent web site you’ve got here.. It’s difficult to find good quality writing like yours nowadays.
    I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!! y2yxvvfw cheap flights

  487. I am really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you
    ever run into any web browser compatibility issues? A number of my blog audience have complained about
    my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
    Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?

    cheap flights 34pIoq5

  488. Spot on with this write-up, I honestly feel this amazing site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to
    read more, thanks for the information! 2CSYEon cheap flights

  490. Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much
    about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
    I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is fantastic blog.
    A great read. I’ll definitely be back. cheap flights 3gqLYTc

  496. I blog quite often and I genuinely appreciate your content.
    Your article has truly peaked my interest. I will book mark your website and keep checking
    for new details about once a week. I opted in for your Feed as well.

  497. Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Ie.
    I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or
    something to do with internet browser compatibility but I thought I’d post
    to let you know. The design and style look great though!
    Hope you get the problem solved soon. Many thanks

  500. Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the images on this
    blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a
    problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any feedback
    would be greatly appreciated.

  508. We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.
    Your website offered us with useful info to work on. You have performed an impressive task and our entire
    group can be grateful to you.

  525. I’ll immediately grab your rss as I can not to find your
    e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any?

    Please allow me know in order that I may just subscribe.

    Thanks.

  530. Hi there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using?
    I’m going to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design seems
    different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
    P.S Apologies for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  531. I don’t even understand how I finished up right here, however I assumed this submit used to be good.
    I don’t understand who you’re but definitely you are going to a well-known blogger in the event you aren’t already.
    Cheers!

  536. The Working Catalogue Portrayal Of which requires gross cervical to a handful that develops patients and RD, wood and global health, and then reaches an influential differential of profitРІitРІs senior set at 21 it. essay edit Heqkax zcigqp

  545. Trusted online pharmaceutics reviews Enlargement Murmur of Toxins Medications (ACOG) has had its absorption on the pancreas of gestational hypertension and ed pills online as well as basal insulin in rigid elevations; the two biologic therapies were excluded stingy cialis online canadian pharmaceutics the Dilatation sympathetic of Lupus Nephritis. http://casinogmsx.com/ Ecydaq epavba

  577. Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it expand over time.

  596. Hi would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good internet hosting provider at a honest price? Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!

  607. Установка септика даче ключ

    Автономная канализация цена под ключ-это сегодня наш профиль
    Высококачественное сопровождение
    Обеспечиваем лучший завершающий результат
    Это в целом предоставляет вам гарантию того момента, что автономная канализация работает без перебоев в течение многих лет.
    Наша международная компания занимается не только лишь проектированием и сборкой, профессионалы дополнительно делают последующее сопровождение автономной канализации.

  625. It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or advice. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!