UK govt study: Big tech brands are monopolies

LONDON: Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple are once again being cast as monopolies that have become too powerful for society’s good, a recurring theme that’s increasing the pressure to rein them in.

A 150-page report commissioned by the British government depicts big digital companies in search, social media, advertising and e-commerce as threats to competition, innovation and personal privacy.

Meanwhile, the music streaming service Spotify filed an antitrust complaint i n Europe against Apple, accusing it of stifling competition through its control over the iphone’s operating system and app store.

Wednesday’s dual attacks provide more fodder in a worldwide debate about whether stricter rules need to be drawn up to handcuff or even break up leading tech companies as they try to extend their tentacles into new markets.

“What you’re seeing is a broad recognition that there is a problem,” said Matt Stoller, a fellow at Open Markets, an institution that studies corporate monopolies and advocates for more competitive markets.

The British government’s new report was led by Harvard University Jason Furman, who was a chief economic adviser to former President Barack Obama. The report found that global tech giants don’t face enough competition and that the existing rules need to be strengthened.