Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Antitrust Bill Aimed At Limiting Power Of Amazon, Apple And Other Big Tech Platforms

deadline.com:

A major piece of legislation aimed at limiting the business conduct of Amazon and other tech platforms cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, underscoring a bipartisan desire to curb the influence of major internet companies.The bill, the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, is aimed at cracking down on a platform’s “self-preferencing.” It prohibits dominant internet companies like Amazon from favoring their own products and services in a way that would “materially harm” competition on their platform.

It also would restrict conduct such as discriminating against businesses that use their platforms, and places limits on practices that disadvantage rivals.The 16-6 vote faces uncertain prospects, as lawmakers put off votes on dozens of amendments that could substantially change the bill if and when it gets to the Senate floor for a final vote.

But the bill also is the focus of fierce lobbying against it, with Apple CEO Tim Cook himself calling lawmakers and platforms mounting advertising campaigns to drum up public opposition.A similar bill passed the House last year, along with five other antitrust bills.

But that legislation has yet to make it to the floor for a vote, and it’s still unclear what the fate will be for the American Innovation and Choice Online Act.Yet the mere advancement of the legislation out of committee was viewed as a significant step after nearly five years in which lawmakers have focused on the increasing influence of big tech, calling in CEOs to hearings, conducting investigations and issuing dire warnings. “At least this is a start,” Sen.