Antitrust Enforcement Under Scrutiny
As the incoming administration prepares to take office, Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan is sounding the alarm about potential “sweetheart deals” for tech giants Amazon and Facebook. Khan, appointed by President Joe Biden, has been a vocal advocate for aggressive antitrust enforcement, and her agency has been locked in high-stakes lawsuits with both companies.
Tech Titans’ Efforts to Influence the Administration
Amazon Chairman Jeff Bezos and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg have been making overtures to President-elect Donald Trump, including $1 million donations to his inauguration fund and private meetings at Mar-a-Lago. Khan views these moves with skepticism, suggesting that the companies are angling for favorable treatment from the new administration.
The Stakes Are High
The FTC’s lawsuits against Amazon and Facebook are far from resolved, with trials set for this spring and fall 2026, respectively. Khan is adamant that her agency has been successful in its efforts to hold these companies accountable, and she hopes that future enforcers will maintain the same level of scrutiny.
A Change in Leadership
With Trump’s appointment of FTC Commissioner Andrew Ferguson to replace Khan, the future of antitrust enforcement is uncertain. Khan’s aggressive approach to policing anticompetitive business practices has been a hallmark of her tenure, and it remains to be seen whether her successor will continue in the same vein.
The Bottom Line
As the tech industry continues to evolve and expand its influence, the importance of robust antitrust enforcement cannot be overstated. Khan’s warnings about “sweetheart deals” serve as a reminder that the public interest must be protected from the interests of powerful corporations.
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