POLITICO Tech Is Big Tech getting an antitrust reset? Not quite yet.
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Feb 26, 2025 Jennifer Huddleston, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute with expertise in antitrust policy, dives into the current state of Big Tech's regulatory landscape. She discusses the potential easing of scrutiny under a second Trump term and the internal Republican tensions over antitrust approaches. The conversation highlights the new FTC chair's stance on content moderation and its implications for online competition, as well as concerns about political motives influencing policies that ultimately affect consumer data security.
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FTC's Role in Content Moderation
- The FTC's inquiry into social media censorship raises First Amendment concerns regarding government intervention in private platforms.
- The FTC is also considering if content moderation decisions are antitrust issues, blurring the lines between competition and content moderation.
Censorship and Competition
- Some believe online censorship is a symptom of an uncompetitive tech industry.
- However, the market is responding to consumer content moderation demands with increased competition and diverse models.
Merger Guidelines
- The FTC will continue following stricter Biden-era merger and acquisition guidelines.
- These guidelines, while unpopular with the private sector, impact exit strategies for innovative companies and benefit consumers.