Today, ACI joined a coalition of groups urging Congress to oppose changes to our antitrust standards that would drive courts to break up and destroy American technology companies. We believe that antitrust regulators and lawmakers should adhere to the prudent, decades-old consumer welfare standard, which has long been a foundation for antitrust enforcement and that […]
Technology
Coalition: Protect the Consumer Welfare Standard
Today, ACI joined a group of organizations and prominent scholars to warn Congress not to change the current consumer welfare standard for conducting antitrust enforcement. That standard tests whether consumers benefit or lose from changes in market efficiency, quality and price, and it is used to determine if antitrust actions are needed. Today’s coalition letter […]
Coalition Letter Calls for the Withdraw of the Proposed ICTS Rule
This week, ACI joined a coalition letter, calling on the Commerce Department to withdraw or significantly amend the proposed rule Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply [ICTS] Chain.” The proposed rule would grant the Secretary of Commerce broad, significant, and undefined powers over small and large American businesses, and could have the […]
To Prevent Cyberattacks: Bigger is Better
Over the past decade, American consumers have become increasingly concerned about cyberattacks, cybersecurity, and data breaches. Currently, 87% of Americans say cybersecurity should be a priority for policymakers, while only 51% believe the government is doing enough to address the threat. Over the past decade, cybercrime has grown significantly. In 2010, for example, its estimated […]
Webinar Video: Competition, Consumer Protection, and Digital Platforms
Antitrust scrutiny of big tech continues to increase in the United States at both the federal and state level, and digital platforms are the target of these scrutiny efforts. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and a coalition of 48 state attorneys general recently filed two separate lawsuits against Facebook calling for the divestiture of Instagram […]
The Economic Standard: Department of Labor Provides Clarity for the Gig Economy
Since the turn of the twenty-first century, independent workers have become an increasingly important part of the modern American economy as workers choose flexibility over traditional “9 to 5” employment. This trend is most clearly evidenced by the substantial growth in the numbers of Americans participating in the gig economy. In 2005, Intuit estimated only […]
ACI Supports Final DOL Revisions to Independent Contractor Status
The Department of Labor’s (DOL) final rule which was issued today is a big win for consumers, small businesses, and the independent workers who value the flexibility independent contracting provides in selecting when and how to work. ACI applauds DOL’s efforts to establish clear and consistent standards that clarify the classification of employee or independent […]
Oregon Legislation Would Cut back on Food Delivery Services During COVID
The following is a statement by Krisztina Pusok, Directory of Policy and Research at ACI, regarding Oregon Bill LC 10: “We are very concerned with the repercussions that the proposed LC 10 could have on consumers and restaurants in Oregon. The proposal, which caps the fees that third-party sites can charge restaurants for deliveries to […]
FTC and the States Square Off Against Facebook
Following a year of active antitrust suits that has seen the Department of Justice sue Google and Visa, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 48 states have turned their attention to Facebook, alleging the company “willfully maintained its monopoly power through its course of anticompetitive acquisitions” of WhatsApp and Instagram. Despite the FTC’s present objections, […]
Congress: Do not Include Intellectual Property Bills in the Omnibus Spending Bill
Copyright infringement is a violation of intellectual property that poses a significant burden on the economy, entrepreneurship, innovation, and consumers. While we commend Congressional efforts to curb abuses and protect intellectual property, we believe it is unacceptable to use the omnibus as an avenue to pass, without further opportunity for review and amendment, bills that […]