Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Google are facing a reckoning over their dominance The four tech giants are headed to Congress.
cnet.com ^ | July 27, 2020 | Richard Nieva

Posted on 07/27/2020 10:11:28 AM PDT by ransomnote

SNIP

Silicon Valley's technology has changed the world, allowing people around the globe to stay connected even during an unprecedented pandemic. But the success of Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Google's parent company, Alphabet -- and the four men who lead those companies -- has brought about another unprecedented phenomenon: the stunning amount of control Silicon Valley has over what the world sees, reads, buys and does online.  

How much control? Facebook is the world's largest social network, with a user base roughly equal to the world's two most populous countries combined. Amazon controls 38% of US online sales -- Walmart, its nearest competitor, had just shy of 6% -- and has data on other retailers using the giant platform. Apple's App Store is a powerful gateway for software developers to find an audience with the company's massive iPhone and iPad customer base. And Google processes about 90% of all web searches globally. 

SNIP

Separate battles

Each of the four companies is facing its own antitrust battle. All of them are reportedly targets of probes by the Department of Justice or a coalition of state attorneys general. Google and Facebook have confirmed various investigations, while Amazon and Apple haven't publicly acknowledged them. 

With Facebook, which was originally scheduled to report second-quarter earnings on Wednesday but moved them to Thursday, regulators are looking into the company's acquisitions of competitors like Instagram and WhatsApp. For Amazon, Congress has largely focused on the company's private-label business, which sells Amazon brands of clothing, food and consumer goods like batteries and diapers. Apple has seen scrutiny over the cut it takes from software developers on its app store. For Google, regulators are focused mainly on the search giant's dominance in digital advertising. 

At Wednesday's hearing, all those disparate threads will intersect like a very wonky and nerdy crossover episode. Republicans have also called for Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey to join the hearing, in the wake of a massive security breach earlier this month. Dorsey isn't on the witness list. 

 

MORE AT LINK


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 07/27/2020 10:11:28 AM PDT by ransomnote
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

Reckoning?? This is just a shake down to get more campaign donations.


2 posted on 07/27/2020 10:35:53 AM PDT by aimhigh (THIS is His commandment . . . . 1 John 3:23)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

They should be treated as they treat others—they should not be allowed to speak—karma is a b*&^%.


3 posted on 07/27/2020 10:43:30 AM PDT by cgbg (Masters don't want slaves talking about masters and slaves.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: aimhigh

A shake down? Are you kidding me?

It’s as plain as day that these companies are monopolies that violate the entire purpose of the Sherman Anti Trust Act etc.


4 posted on 07/27/2020 10:47:47 AM PDT by Professional
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

With no football in sight, let’s practice the Tech Cheer:

Gimmie an F for Facebook.
Gimmie an A for Amazon
Gimmie a G for Google
Gimmie an S for Snapchat.

What’s that Spell

FAGS

What’s that Spell

FAGS

Go FAGS FAGS FAGS.


5 posted on 07/27/2020 10:56:58 AM PDT by PAR35
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

They are much bigger, smarter and more powerful than Congress. Congress will do nothing; or worse do what big tech tells them to do.

Big tech has become big evil, Goebbels’s dream.


6 posted on 07/27/2020 11:12:23 AM PDT by veracious (UN=OIC=Islam; USgov may be radically changed, just amend USConstitution)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: veracious

These companies are dependent on utilities and internet backbones to do what they do....they can swagger but the governments’ state and federal control the dagger! Cut their internet access and electrical power and they are done!


7 posted on 07/27/2020 11:23:25 AM PDT by mdmathis6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

Google and Facebook are supremely evil companies.


8 posted on 07/27/2020 11:27:53 AM PDT by Sam Gamgee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

Sternly worded letter to follow, no doubt.


9 posted on 07/27/2020 11:33:36 AM PDT by PubliusMM (RKBA; a matter of fact, not opinion. Mr Trump, we've got your six.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

If they produced they products in the USA with American labor I would be on their side. If....


10 posted on 07/27/2020 11:36:47 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

Where is Twitter?


11 posted on 07/27/2020 11:48:34 AM PDT by Midwesterner53
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

Oh no heading to congress again. They have lied in the past with nothing done. They will just lie again.


12 posted on 07/27/2020 11:57:03 AM PDT by pas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

Congress demanding more bribe money. Pelosi received many shares from Amazon and made at least $6 million so far this year. If you think that her and her husband actually risked their own money then people are naive.


13 posted on 07/27/2020 2:27:11 PM PDT by minnesota_bound (homeless guy. He just has more money....He the master will plant more cotton for the democrat party)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Midwesterner53

and Micorsoft?


14 posted on 07/27/2020 2:38:36 PM PDT by wattojawa (Diseny: Destroying your childhood since 2010)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: ransomnote

They will bring their donation checks to the DNC, and all kumbaya.


15 posted on 07/27/2020 6:10:16 PM PDT by Terry L Smith
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson