Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (20 April 2021)

Other Developments A bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives wrote the President asking for funding to stimulate semiconductor production in the United States (U.S.) per provisions in the FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (P.L. 116-283). In a press release issued by one of the signatories, Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), the Members stated:We write … Continue reading Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (20 April 2021) →

Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (16 April 2021)

Other Developments The United Kingdom launched its Digital Markets Unit (DMU) that will “will oversee plans to give consumers more choice and control over their data, promote online competition and crack down on unfair practices which can often leave businesses and consumers with less choice and more expensive goods and services” according to its press … Continue reading Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (16 April 2021) →

Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (7 April 2021)

Other Developments The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that Facebook’s purchase of Giphy would substantially lessen competition and is giving the companies the opportunity to respond to this finding before the CMA moves on to the next phase of its investigation. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is also looking at … Continue reading Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (7 April 2021) →

Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (6 April 2021)

Other Developments The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) reversed a decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that Facebook’s login notification text system, especially its database of phone numbers, violated a federal law barring abusive telemarketing practices. The case turned on whether Facebook’s system is an “automatic telephone … Continue reading Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (6 April 2021) →

Other Developments, Further Reading, and Comings Events (31 March 2021)

Other Developments The European Data Protection Board (EDPB) issued its 2021-2022 Work Programme that details the agency’s plans for the next year. Not surprisingly, the EDPB will seek to further clarify and elucidate the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Among other tasks, the EDPB stated it will address the following with asterisked items having already … Continue reading Other Developments, Further Reading, and Comings Events (31 March 2021) →

Antitrust Inquiry Continues

The beginnings of possible bipartisan antitrust reform legislation begin to emerge. Whether Democrats and the White House will play “small ball” is unclear. First, subscribe to my new newsletter, the Wavelength, to get all the content you have come to enjoy on my blog. I’m a former lobbyist and Congressional staffer who understand the politics, … Continue reading Antitrust Inquiry Continues →

Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (25 March 2021)

Other Developments California Attorney General Xavier Becerra was confirmed as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services, but before he left this position, he named Matt Rodriguez Chief Deputy Attorney General. Rodriguez will be the acting Attorney General until Governor Gavin Newsom (D) nominates a person the legislature confirms.The White House indicated President Joe … Continue reading Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (25 March 2021) →

State Google Antitrust Suit Widens

One of the Google antitrust suits expands to encompass a recently announced “privacy” measure the tech giant will institute on Chrome. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced additional states and territories have joined the antitrust suit he is leading against Google. He also filed a revised and expanded complaint that brings additional claims against … Continue reading State Google Antitrust Suit Widens →

Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (15, 16, and 17 March 2021)

Other Developments The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) published a Joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) on the “Compromise of Microsoft Exchange Server.” The agencies stated:The FBI and CISA assess that nation-state actors and cyber criminals are likely among those exploiting these vulnerabilities. The exploitation … Continue reading Other Developments, Further Reading, and Coming Events (15, 16, and 17 March 2021) →

Senate Judiciary Begins Hearings on Antitrust

The subcommittee in the Senate that oversees antitrust and competition policy started its hearings on what reform legislation may look like. Members agree there’s a problem but not on solutions. Following the lead of the House Judiciary Committee, the Senate subcommittee with jurisdiction over antitrust matters held a hearing on antitrust reform. The Senate Judiciary … Continue reading Senate Judiciary Begins Hearings on Antitrust →