The Federal Communication Commission (FCC), which is tasked with hosting annual auctions for commercial wireless providers, may soon lose the ability to license radio frequency bands if its spectrum authority expires on September 30th. The FCC’s current authority only lasts for 10 years and must be renewed by Congress. Should Congress fail to act in […]
Technology
The Economic Standard: Proposed Mergers Act Codifies Big Is Bad
Despite being an integral part of modern life, over a third of Americans support breaking up tech companies such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Moreover, public disapproval of the firms, known as techlash, is propelling legislative efforts that could limit many of the consumer benefits that these companies offer. One legislative reaction to techlash is […]
New Report Raises Concerns Over Congressional Action to Alter Antitrust Laws and Limit Self-Preferencing
Today, the American Consumer Institute (ACI) released a policy brief highlighting the potential impact the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA) would have on big tech. This brief comes in response to the growing prominence of techlash in America and Congress’ consideration of bills that seek to ban and/or limit self-preferencing for select categories […]
Statement on the Need to Reauthorize the FCC’s Spectrum Authority
The American Consumer Institute is concerned to learn that the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) will soon lose its spectrum authorization authority if Congressional action is not taken before September 30th. We strongly urge Congress to reauthorize the FCC’s short-term auction authority so that future spectrum auctions for commercial stakeholders may continue to be held. Since […]
The Economic Standard: Antitrust Shows That Bad Policy Is Bipartisan
Antitrust reform is a rare example of bipartisanship. Unfortunately, this consensus radically increases the odds of Congress passing onerous and unnecessary regulations that would unduly burden large tech companies and risk the consumer benefits they provide. Despite these benefits, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has assumed the mantle of Congress’s top trustbuster, leading legislative efforts to […]
As Congress Stalls on Data Privacy, Americans Lose Out
2022 promised great things for data privacy. High-profile cyberattacks and a bipartisan consensus that Congress ought to act had commentators predicting a federal data standard was a real possibility. However, political headwinds, midterms, and other priorities have conspired against such a standard, and prospects now appear remote. Unfortunately, Americans lose out without a unified federal […]
FCC Consumer Advisory Committee Recommendation
Today, the FCC’s Consumer Advisory Committee filed its recommendation to the FCC in regard to Docket CGB 22-2 — Consumer Broadband Labels. The recommendation is available here.
The Economic Standard: Would Microsoft’s Proposed Activision Merger Be Positive for Consumers?
By now, most people will have heard about Microsoft Corporation’s intension to purchase gaming giant and interactive content publisher Activision Blizzard Inc. in what is already being called the largest tech deal ever. While some may have concerns about the size of the merger, the deal could well be a major victory for consumers and […]
ACI Files Comments with FTC and DOJ on Their Request for Information on Merger Enforcement
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) are seeking information on how the agencies can modernize enforcement of the antitrust laws regarding mergers. Today, ACI filed its comments for this request for Information — available here.
New Report Highlights Dangers of Congressional Antitrust Action
In a period of deep partisan division, a bipartisan consensus seems to have developed between Republicans and Democrats regarding big tech. Elected representatives from both parties have proposed new laws that, if enacted, would rewrite America’s antitrust laws in a way that would combat the perceived malignant influence of big tech companies and prevent them […]