Today, Public Knowledge joined 45 public interest and civil society groups in a letter urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to pass the “American Innovation and Choice Online Act” and “Open App Markets Act” to rein in Big Tech. The groups call on Congress to pass these widely supported, bipartisan antitrust bills this year before the current congressional session closes.
The following is an excerpt from the letter:
“The American Innovation and Choice Online Act (S. 2992 / H.R. 3816) would strip Big Tech of unfair self-preferencing advantages and allow open and free competition on platforms. Making Big Tech platforms subject to the rigors of competitive pressure forces them to innovate and aggressively combat negative user experiences, lest they lose users to a newly emboldened rival. The Open App Markets Act (S. 2710 / H.R. 7030) would open up mobile app stores to competition. These bills are designed to work synergistically and together can combat many of Big Tech’s worst abuses.
“The bills are common-sense, compromise legislation that have the support of a wide range of stakeholders. They are the culmination of a multi-year bipartisan investigation into Big Tech, exhaustive hearings, and expert analysis. We join with the Biden administration in urging you to make these bills a priority in your upcoming session.
“The bills are also incredibly popular with the American people and people around the world who depend on digital platforms. Poll after poll has shown the public [is] fed up with Big Tech’s unchecked power and eager to support members getting tough with them. In a recent poll, 77 percent of voters agreed Big Tech was too powerful and 65 percent were more likely to support their representative [for voting] for greater Big Tech regulation.
“As history writes the final chapters of the 117th Congress, you face a consequential choice on how it concludes. Passing the American Innovation and Choice Online Act and the Open App Markets Act would mark a triumphant, bipartisan and politically popular win. The choice is yours.”
You may view the letter for more information.
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