Tech antitrust news covering DOJ and FTC investigations, competition lawsuits, regulatory actions, and big tech monopoly concerns.
The U.S. Justice Department approved Fox Corp.'s $22 billion acquisition of Roku, contingent on strict data safeguards. Fox must prevent sharing sensitive user data with third parties until at least 2029 and make audience data available to competitors to ensure fair competition.
A proposed class action accuses seven major U.S. airlines and ATPCO of violating antitrust laws by sharing real-time pricing data since 2023. American Airlines rejected the allegations, asserting independent pricing practices, while other carriers declined comment on the Seattle filing.
Union Pacific published a video showing CEO Jim Vena threatening rate hikes against shippers opposing the Norfolk Southern merger. Vena stated he would increase rates by three or four percent to "teach" opponents a lesson. The Surface Transportation Board ordered UP to redesignate the video as public following complaints, while the company denied retaliating against customers.
Union Pacific CEO Vena characterized his previous threat to raise rates for shippers opposing the merger as "humor" after the Surface Transportation Board ordered the video released. He denied making a serious threat, claiming supply chain costs will be lower with a seamless railroad.
Industry Minister Melanie Joly has requested a Competition Bureau investigation into Cleveland-Cliffs regarding potential antitrust violations linked to impending layoffs at its Stelco plant. Prime Minister Mark Carney warned the company against ignoring acquisition commitments, while Cliffs cites U.S. steel tariffs as a factor in operational reductions.
Epic Games and Samsung are challenging discovery demands from Apple and the Department of Justice in ongoing antitrust litigation. Disputes center on the scope of document searches and executive depositions required for the pretrial phase.
The FTC and 22 states updated their complaint against Amazon, alleging the company deceived advertisers about rising search ad costs. New details claim prices were raised up to 50% above auction results on ordinary days and more than tripled during major shopping events like Prime Day and Black Friday.
Chinese regulators blocked SoftBank Group's proposed $5.4 billion acquisition of ABB Ltd's robotics division, citing data and technology safeguarding concerns. The rejection disrupts CEO Masayoshi Son's AI ambitions and impacts over 7,000 employees supplying manufacturers like BMW.
Axios argues that CVS Health's planned corporate breakup will likely preserve significant vertical integration, thereby failing to address mounting political and regulatory scrutiny. The commentary suggests that recent Democratic midterm victories may intensify pressure on healthcare conglomerates to unwind these specific business relationships.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has imposed interim price controls on Armaguard's cash distribution services following a dispute with major banks. ACCC chairwoman Gina Cass-Gottlieb invoked the Cash Distribution Framework Act to regulate the near-monopoly transporter, aiming to ensure the economic viability of cash transport across Australia.