Decoder with Nilay Patel DOJ’s Jonathan Kanter says the antitrust fight against Big Tech is just beginning
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Feb 12, 2024 
Jonathan Kanter, the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division at the DOJ, discusses the evolving landscape of antitrust enforcement against Big Tech. He emphasizes the critical challenges faced in regulating giants like Google, particularly in search and advertising monopolies. With recent successes in blocking significant mergers, Kanter shares insights on the importance of competition for a healthy democracy and the role of public awareness in combating monopolistic practices. He believes these regulatory efforts are more accessible than ever.
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Antitrust Division Structure
- The Antitrust Division at the Department of Justice employs over 800 people, including lawyers, economists, and data scientists.
- They focus on antitrust enforcement, covering civil and criminal matters, as well as policy and advocacy.
Decision-Making Framework
- Prioritize high-impact cases affecting many people or vital industries.
- Focus on programmatically significant cases that set good precedents and deter future violations.
Penguin Random House Merger
- The DOJ blocked the Penguin Random House merger to protect authors' advances.
- They argued reduced competition among publishers would lower author compensation.