FTC opens inquiry into Big Tech’s partnerships with leading AI startups
The action targets Amazon, Google and Microsoft and their sway over the generative AI boom that’s fueled demand for chatbots such as ChatGPT.
Antitrust
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JetBlue’s $3.8B buyout of Spirit Airlines blocked by judge citing threat to competition
The Justice Department said if JetBlue were allowed to buy Spirit, it would especially hurt travelers who depend on Spirit’s low fares.
Washington state sues to block proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons grocery chains
In a statement Monday, Kroger said it was delaying its timeline for closing the $25 billion deal due to ongoing dialogue with regulators, including state attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission.
In landmark decision, jury finds Google’s app store broke anti-monopoly laws
A federal court jury has decided that Google’s Android app store has been protected by anticompetitive barriers that have damaged smartphone consumers and software developers, dealing a blow to a major pillar of a technology empire.
Trial deciding if JetBlue can buy Spirit—and further consolidate the industry—nears its end
A Justice Department lawyer argued that the deal would push fares higher by 30% and leave fewer options for travelers on a budget.
Amazon used algorithm to essentially raise prices on other sites, FTC says
Amazon is accused of violating federal and state antitrust laws, but the company has responded with a full-throated defense of its business practices.
JetBlue-Spirit merger trial tests U.S. airline deal crackdown
The U.S. crackdown on airline consolidation faces a new test this week with the trial of a government lawsuit claiming the $3.8 billion takeover of Spirit Airlines Inc. by JetBlue Airways Corp. would reduce competition and boost fares for passengers.
Google CEO defends paying Apple, others to make Google default search engine
In the biggest U.S. antitrust case in a quarter century, the Department of Justice contends that Google—a company whose very name is synonymous with scouring the internet—pays off tech companies to lock out rival search engines to smother competition and innovation.
Billions in TV revenue on line as college sports faces more legal threats
A federal antitrust case could force the Indianapolis-based NCAA and the wealthiest conferences to create pro-style revenue sharing of billions of broadcast-rights dollars with football and basketball players.
Search engine founder testifies that Google’s partnerships thwart competition
Appearing in the biggest antitrust trial in a quarter century, DuckDuckGo founder Gabriel Weinberg testified Thursday that it was hard for his small search engine company to compete with Google.
Leaving Google’s search engine isn’t easy, government witness says in antitrust case
The U.S. Justice Department pressed ahead with its antitrust case against Google on Wednesday, questioning a former employee of the search engine giant about deals he helped negotiate with phone companies in the 2000s.
U.S. claims Google pays more than $10B annually to maintain search dominance
Prosecutors opened the biggest U.S. antitrust trial in a quarter century on Tuesday by saying that the case is about the future of the internet and whether Google’s search engine will ever face meaningful competition.
In first tech antitrust trial in decades, DOJ takes on Google
Over the next 10 weeks, the Justice Department and a group of state attorneys general will argue that Google has illegally abused its monopoly power to run roughshod over rivals, inking deals to ensure dominance.
Google reaches tentative settlement with all 50 states over alleged app store monopoly
The lawsuit was filed in 2021 over the tech giant’s alleged monopolistic control of app distribution for the software that runs most of the world’s cellphones.
In court documents, JetBlue says it could raise fares on some routes after buying Spirit Airlines
Consumer advocates say the disclosure supports the antitrust lawsuit aimed at blocking JetBlue’s $3.8 billion purchase of Spirit, the nation’s largest discount airline.
U.S. sues to block JetBlue from buying Spirit Airlines
The Justice Department said the $3.8 billion acquisition would hurt cost-conscious travelers who depend on Spirit to find cheaper options than they can find on JetBlue and other airlines.
FTC sues to block Microsoft-Activision Blizzard $69B merger
Xbox maker Microsoft has faced months of resistance from Sony, which makes the competing PlayStation console and has raised concerns with antitrust watchdogs around the world about losing access to popular game franchises such as Call of Duty.
Battle over the iPhone app store spills into appeals court
The high-stakes battle involve a setup that generates an estimated $15 billion to $20 billion for Apple every year, which has helped lift its market value to nearly $2.4 trillion.
U.S. House approves antitrust bill targeting giant tech firms
The limited bill would give states an upper hand over companies in choosing the location of courts that decide federal antitrust cases.
California sues Amazon, alleging antitrust law violations
Amazon controls roughly 38% of online sales in the U.S., more than Walmart, eBay, Apple, Best Buy and Target combined, according to the research firm Insider Intelligence.