Senators Seek Information on Tech Company Antitrust Investigations

U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Tina Smith (D-MN) have asked for details about possible Federal Trade Commission antitrust investigations into Amazon and Facebook and possible Justice Department antitrust investigations into Google and Apple.  In the letters, the senators requested information regarding the existence and scope of the potential investigations.

“Over the years, we have heard numerous complaints about potential anticompetitive conduct by large technology firms, and we have held hearings that have explored these issues,” the senators wrote. “When we saw the recent press reports of potential U.S. investigations into these matters, we were encouraged, but also somewhat troubled that such inquiries were not already well underway. But given the silence of the FTC and the Justice Department, the truth is that we still do not know if these investigations have actually been initiated and neither do the American people.”

The FTC was asked to provide answers to the following questions:

• Does the FTC currently have an open nonmerger, antitrust investigation into the conduct of Amazon or any of its subsidiaries? If so, describe the nature and general scope of any such investigations into Amazon or any of its subsidiaries.
• Will the FTC commit to issuing a public statement concerning the general findings and outcome of any nonmerger, antitrust investigation into the conduct of Amazon or any of its subsidiaries?
• Does the FTC currently have an open nonmerger, antitrust investigation into the conduct of Facebook or any of its subsidiaries? If so, describe the nature and general scope of any such investigations into Facebook or any of its subsidiaries.
• Will the FTC commit to issuing a public statement concerning the general findings and outcome of any nonmerger, antitrust investigation into the conduct of Facebook or any of its subsidiaries?
• DOJ was asked to provide answers these questions:
• Does the Justice Department currently have an open nonmerger, antitrust investigation into the conduct of Google or any of its subsidiaries? If so, describe the nature and general scope of any such investigations into Google or any of its subsidiaries.
• Will the Justice Department commit to issuing a public statement concerning the general findings and outcome of any nonmerger, antitrust investigation into the conduct of Google or any of its subsidiaries?
• Does the Justice Department currently have an open nonmerger, antitrust investigation into the conduct of Apple or any of its subsidiaries? If so, describe the nature and general scope of any such investigations into Apple or any of its subsidiaries.
• Will the Justice Department commit to issuing a public statement concerning the general findings and outcome of any nonmerger, antitrust investigation into the conduct of Apple or any of its subsidiaries?

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The Regulatory Mix Today: Senators Seek Information on Tech Company Antitrust Investigations, FCC Allows Withdrawal of Forbearance Relief for Dark Fiber Transport Unbundling, FTC Announces Crackdown on Illegal Robocalls

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FCC Allows Withdrawal of Forbearance Relief for Dark Fiber Transport Unbundling

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau granted USTelecom’s request for approval to withdraw without prejudice the portion of its May 4, 2018 petition for forbearance seeking relief from the dark fiber transport unbundling requirements of the Communications Act.  USTelecom gave no specific reason for the withdrawal request.

FTC Announces Crackdown on Illegal Robocalls

The FTC announced a  major crackdown on illegal robocalls, including 94 actions targeting operations around the country that are responsible for more than one billion calls pitching a variety of products and services including credit card interest rate reduction services, money-making opportunities, and medical alert systems.  The joint crackdown, “Operation Call it Quits,” is part of the FTC’s ongoing effort to help stem the tide of universally loathed pre-recorded telemarketing calls.  It also includes new information to help educate consumers about illegal robocalls.  In addition, the FTC continues to promote the development of technology-based solutions to block robocalls and combat caller ID spoofing.  Additionally, several state and local agencies have brought enforcement actions. 

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The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.