Big Tech Enters US Antitrust Battleground After Period of Calm

The United States has ramped up antitrust scrutiny on several major technology firms, with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) spearheading multiple significant cases. Among the companies targeted, Google faces two lawsuits that could lead to the company being broken up. The FTC has also recently launched a case against Apple in March, accusing the company of leveraging its dominance in the premium smartphone market to the detriment of competition.

FTC Chair Lina Khan has defended the increased antitrust actions, stating that these cases are meant to address current consumer concerns rather than being based on outdated perspectives. However, these lawsuits have not been without their detractors. Some have labeled the cases as lacking in legal substance or being driven by political motives. Despite these criticisms, proponents argue that the lawsuits present a necessary challenge to prevailing legal and economic doctrines.

These cases are unfolding along varying timelines and are being overseen by different federal judges. Given the complexity and magnitude of the lawsuits, the legal battles may extend over many years, possibly up to a decade.