LiveUpdated
Wednesday 29 July 2020 21:33
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg found himself in the unlikely position of defending Twitter’s decision to suspend Donald Trump’s Jr’s account in the House Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust.
Jeff Bezos, meanwhile, was unable to deny an assertion that Amazon uses third-party seller data to advantage itself, a potential antitrust concern for the e-commerce company.
Apple‘s Tim Cook and Google‘s Sundar Pichai are also facing US lawmakers’ questions on whether the big tech companies have abused their dominance to push their own products or political ideologies, and concerns over censorship and the loss of free speech on their platforms.
The hearing has taken a short recess and will resume momentarily.
Bezos was unable to deny an assertion that Amazon uses third-party seller data to advantage itself, a potential antitrust concern for the e-commerce company. CNN said congresswoman Pramila Jayapal cited an anonymous Amazon employee’s testimony that there is a rule against using such data, but that it is not enforced, describing the situation as a “candy shop”.
Bezos acknowledged there was a policy that prohibited the use of third-party seller data to support Amazon’s own private-label business. But, he said: “I can’t guarantee you that policy has never been violated.” Ms Jayapal, replied: “I’ll take that as you’re not denying it.”
Or as this person put it:
Now Zuckerberg is being questioned by Sensenbrenner, over Jim Jordan’s claim that conservatives are being censored. Was it right to suspend Donald Trump Jr after he posted information about hydroxychloroquine. Zuckerberg points out this was Twitter, not FB, but finds himself defending move to block information that could harm.
David Cicilline, the chair of the House Judiciary Committee’s antitrust panel, asks Google’s Pichai “why it steals content from honest businesses”
Next up is Mark Zuckerberg, who claims – somehow – that Facebook is not a dominant force in the industry. Also raises threat of China
Now, Apple’s Tim Cool, who like the other witnesses pays tribute to John Lewis, whose memorial service, held up the hearing.
Here’s his comments in full
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, says its “work would not be possible without the long tradition of American innovation, and we’re proud to contribute to its future”. With a brief claim that Google’s marketplace has helped pass on saving to consumers, he adds: “I haven’t forgotten how access to innovation and technology altered the course of my life. Google aims to build products that increase access to opportunity for everyone — no matter where you live, what you believe, or how
much money you earn.”
“My dad’s name is Miguel. He adopted me when I was four years old. He was 16 when he came
to the United States from Cuba as part of Operation Pedro Pan, shortly after Castro took over.
My dad arrived in America alone. His parents felt he’d be safer here. His mom imagined America
would be cold, so she made him a jacket sewn entirely out of cleaning cloths.”
“My mom, Jackie, had me when she was a 17-year-old high school student in Albuquerque, New
Mexico. Being pregnant in high school was not popular in Albuquerque in 1964. It was difficult
for her. When they tried to kick her out of school, my grandfather went to bat for her,” he says.
Amazon boss Jeff Bezos is wearing a dark suit and white shirt, for his first testimony before Congress
Twitter is “censoring the president”, Jordan now claims
Republican Jim Jordan claims big tech is “out to get conservatives”
We just heard from the ranking Republican, Jim Sensenbrenner, who said it was not always the case that “big was bad”. Next up, Democrat Jerry Nadler
He adds: “Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, these corporations already stood out as titans in our economy. In the wake of Covid. however, they are likely to emerge stronger and more powerful than ever before.”
Quite simply put, adds Cicilline, these companies “have too much power”
“Since last June, the Subcommittee has been investigating the dominance of a small number of digital platforms and the adequacy of existing antitrust laws and enforcement. Given the central role these corporations play in the lives of the American people, it is critical that their CEOs are forthcoming. As we have said from the start, their testimony is essential for us to complete this investigation.”
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