Thread by @neil_chilson

Enforcer Roundtable at #ATspring19: @JoeSimonsFTC talking about Tech Task Force. TTF will be looking closely at monopoly maintenance through acquisition, particularly of nascent competitors. #antitrust

Now, @vestager talking about the interaction between fairness and competition. She notes that people can care or not care about politics, but everyone participates in the market. (It's a nice observation. Markets proceed politics.) #ATspring

Rodney Sims (Chair, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) reiterates his concerns about platforms undermining traditional media business models. Seems of two minds if is an antitrust issue. #ATSpring Basically a repeat of yesterday:

https://twitter.com/neil_chilson/status/1111288771797024772

Echoes the ideas from WSJ op ed by News Corp CE Robert Thomson, to which I responded. TL;DR: Solutions to issues of free speech and reporting lie in the future—not in a government-mandated return to the past. #ATSpring

https://twitter.com/neil_chilson/status/1108340082585542657

In related #antitrust news: new ad campaign aimed at Senate Judiciary against politicizing antitrust. #ATspring

https://twitter.com/jessekblum/status/1111644170173726721

Back to #ATSpring: @JoeSimonsFTC talking #privacy legislation. Wants civil penalties. Says hard to prove harm, hard to get redress, civil penalties "will take care of that." (Is enabling law enforcement where no demonstrable consumer harm solving a problem --- or creating one?!)

Simons wants congress to balance the tradeoffs, which include complex social values, not just kick it to @FTC. Congress more appropriate. Thinks it important to avoid a patchwork of privacy laws. #ATSpring

Simons also notes that privacy regulation can reduce competition, urged congress to consider that. Can get into a situation where, in order to protect privacy you entrench incumbents. #ATSpring