Big Tech and Antitrust

The debate over “Big Tech” and antitrust has intensified. On one side are those who consider certain Big Tech companies monopiles that reduce competition and exploit their users’ data. On the other side are those who believe that competition in the technology market is flourishing, particularly when considering a worldwide market, and that Big Tech empowers its consumers; after all, many users never pay financially for social media use. In addition to these economic considerations, Big Tech has raised a host of social and political concerns over speech, democracy, and power. Is Big Tech suppressing speech? Should it suppress more speech? Does it even matter if private companies “suppress speech”? Does Big Tech have too much control over our elections or none at all? What power does Big Tech wield over our lives, if any? On April 15, 2021, the Federalist Society's Chicago Lawyers Chapter hosted a panel of antitrust experts to discuss these issues and more. Featuring: Jessica Melugin, Director, Center for Technology & Innovation, Competitive Enterprise Institute Asheesh Agarwal, Deputy General Counsel and Internet Policy Counsel, TechFreedom Dr. Hal Singer, Senior Fellow, George Washington Institute of Public Policy; Adjunct Professor, McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University Moderator: Prof. Richard A. Epstein, Director, Classical Liberal Institute, NYU School of Law; Law Professor, University of Chicago; Peter and Kirstin Bedford Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution Introduction: John Adams, President, The Federalist Society's Chicago Lawyers Chapter * * * * * As always, the Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues; all expressions of opinion are those of the speaker.