The tech giant has not been let down by the Trump administration.
On Monday, the Federal Trade Commission will go to court against Meta, alleging that the acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp by the social media giant eliminated their early competitors. Additionally, on April 21, the Department of Justice will argue that federal judges should force Google to sell Chrome web browsers to curb the power of search monopolies.
These cases mark a new phase of antitrust scrutiny and were initiated during President Trump’s first term, but have been further pursued by the Biden administration, which has also filed separate lawsuits against Amazon, Apple, and Google’s ad technology businesses.
While Silicon Valley and Wall Street investors hoped for more leniency towards tech companies in Trump’s second term as he pledged to settle the industry, legal experts believe the administration may maintain a strict stance on blocking mergers and regulating technology aggressively.
Despite industry expectations, Trump’s appointees have continued with significant scrutiny of major tech companies.
“I think they may not have completely focused on how much the first Trump presidency was in the setting of the movement.,” Former FTC president Bill Kovacic said.
Here’s what you need to know.
Who is currently in charge of antitrust enforcement?
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Source: www.nytimes.com