Tech antitrust news covering DOJ and FTC investigations, competition lawsuits, regulatory actions, and big tech monopoly concerns.
Apple and the U.S. Department of Justice are in early settlement discussions regarding a 2024 antitrust lawsuit. Apple has made multiple offers this year and has implemented changes to address DOJ concerns, including supporting RCS and broadening NFC chip access. No trial date has been set.
Twelve U.S. states, led by California AG Rob Bonta, sued to block Paramount's $81 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, alleging antitrust violations. A federal judge said she would rule by next Wednesday on a temporary restraining order. Separately, the Writers Guild of America and Paramount investors filed their own lawsuits challenging the deal.
A multistate effort led by 12 Democratic state attorneys general to block the $111bn Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery merger heads to court on Friday. California AG Rob Bonta expressed optimism, calling the complaint 'clean, clear, concise' under the Clayton Act.
A bipartisan group of 21 US states asked a federal judge to allow further investigation into the US government's March settlement with Live Nation Entertainment. The states expressed concerns about whether the agreement serves the public interest and promotes competition.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other Democrats warned of antitrust issues in Fox Corp.'s proposed $22 billion acquisition of Roku. They sent a letter to the DOJ seeking a commitment that the review will be free from political interference, arguing the merger could reduce consumer choice for free streaming services.
Disney agreed to a $50 million settlement in an antitrust lawsuit over forcing streaming platforms to bundle channels. Subscribers of YouTube TV or DirecTV between April 2019 and March 2026 may be eligible for a payout. Claims must be submitted by September 8, 2026.
The European Commission mandated Google to open its Android operating system and search data to AI rivals under the Digital Markets Act. Google must allow voice activation of rival AI assistants on Android by July 2027 and share anonymized search data with AI chatbots from January 2027. Google's lawyer criticized the decision, citing privacy and security risks.
DraftKings filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia to stop enforcement of a new local consumer-protection law and to block a related subpoena and investigation into its practices, arguing that state law preempts the city's ordinance.
The commentary argues that restrictive hospital contract terms—anti-steering, anti-tiering, and all-or-nothing clauses—drive high US hospital prices by limiting competition. It contends that federal antitrust actions against these practices are promising and that eliminating them could reduce prices by 18% in affected markets.
Keyera Corp. urged the Competition Tribunal to dismiss the bureau's challenge to its $5.15-billion purchase of Plains All American's NGL business, arguing the bureau used incorrect assumptions and an artificially narrow geographic market. Keyera called the deal pro-competitive and noted the industry's shift toward West Coast export facilities.