Category: Federal Trade Commission

Microsoft Gambles on ‘Nice Guy’ Strategy to Close Activision Megadeal

The New York Times – Business:
Federal regulators have sued to block the $69 billion acquisition, but the company has settled on a path forward and is preparing to force the issue.
Mark Zuckerberg Testifies About Meta’s Virtual Reality Ambitions

The New York Times – Business:
Meta’s chief executive made a rare court appearance as the Federal Trade Commission tries to block his company’s purchase of the virtual reality start-up Within.
Epic Games, Creator of Fortnite, to Pay $520 Million Over Children’s Privacy

The New York Times – Business:
The creator of popular games like Fortnite and Rocket League violated children’s privacy and duped millions of users into unwanted purchases, federal regulators said.
To Rein In Big Tech, Europe Looked Beyond Lawsuits. Will the U.S. Follow?

The New York Times – Business:
The largest American banks are classified as “systemically important” and subject to more stringent scrutiny. Some lawmakers want to do the same for Big Tech.
Lina Khan, Aiming to Block Microsoft’s Activision Deal, Faces a Challenge

The New York Times – Business:
Ms. Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission, has staked an ambitious trustbusting agenda on a case that may be difficult to win.
The F.T.C.’s Bet on Rewriting Antitrust by Taking on Microsoft

The New York Times – Business:
In seeking to oppose the $69 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard, the agency is hoping to revamp the nation’s antitrust rules — even if it loses.
Meta Battles F.T.C. in Court Over Future of Virtual Reality

The New York Times – Business:
A trial that began Thursday will serve as a test of the Federal Trade Commission’s argument that Facebook’s parent company is trying to buy its way to dominance in the nascent virtual and augmented reality markets.
Why Losing to Meta in Court Could Still Be a Win for Antitrust Regulators

The New York Times – Business:
As the Federal Trade Commission prepares to face off in court against Meta over a V.R. start-up deal, the agency is testing a novel argument as part of a strategy to push antitrust law.
Can Big Tech Get Bigger? Microsoft Presses Governments to Say Yes.

The New York Times – Business:
Microsoft’s $69 billion deal for Activision Blizzard, which is undergoing reviews in 16 countries, has become a test for whether tech giants can buy companies amid a backlash.
Ticketmaster’s Parent Company Said to Face Justice Department Investigation

The New York Times – Music:
The inquiry predates the botched presale of Taylor Swift tickets this week and is said to focus on whether Live Nation has abused its power in the live music industry.
D.C. Attorney General Files Second Complaint Against Commanders

The New York Times – Sports:
In a complaint filed Thursday, the Washington N.F.L. team was accused of misusing ticket revenue and failing to refund customers’ deposits.
Democratic Lawmakers Call for Investigation of Elon Musk’s Twitter

The New York Times – Business:
Seven Democratic senators urged the Federal Trade Commission to examine whether the social media company, under Mr. Musk’s ownership, had violated a 2011 privacy agreement.