During Wednesday’s congressional antitrust hearing, the CEOs of Apple, Amazon, Google, and Facebook used their opening statements to try and paint themselves—and their companies—as uniquely American success stories with humble origins, heart-warming anecdotes, and impactful lessons for the American people.
[…]While these CEOs talked a lot about America and its possibilities, and how their companies and even personal histories embody it, it is undeniable that their actions are undermining what they claim to celebrate.
It was sad display.
I don’t think antitrust is the best way of going after the abuses of the Big Five. After all, they can argue that consumers are free to use alternatives, and there are plenty out there, but most are considered inferior by consumers and business users. Instead, the US government needs to craft legislation or deputize Federal agency review (similar to the FCC) protecting privacy and other important matters (e.g., protecting consumers from fake news, deep fakes and other fraud), applicable to all Internet businesses and service providers, not just the Five. Yes, that goal is easier said than done, and it would have to be ongoing, not a one-time fix.
A sad display… from the House Judiciary. How about a link to a more reasonable and fair accounting of what happened?
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20200730/01174945007/house-judiciary-spends-55-hours-making-themselves-look-foolish-without-asking-many-actual-tough-questions-tech-ceos.shtml