Thread by @ashkan

1/ U r seeing academics/journalists pushing case for Antitrust vs
AMZN boingboing.net/2017/08/07/eco…
FB papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf…
But usually Govt files Antitrust suit. If private citizens or firms can show they're victim of antitrust behavior they 2 can file suit 2 enforce antitrust law

2/ We've seen politicians r fairly unclear (i.e. Zuckerberg's testimony) about more obvious aspects of tech/internet, let alone intricacies of how vertical/horizontal integration (what took down Standard Oil, AT&T) creates unfair competition, lead to abuse of power in an industry

3/ And given nature of Web platforms - UGC protected by DMCA 4 Safe Harbors, there are very few users who can/want/have incentive to argue let alone demonstrate HARM - a key criteria of Antitrust I believe - even though how you define/frame harm can prove that it's not a stretch

4/ When it comes to FIRMS that are affected by dominance of these Internet Tech giants, MOST aren't capable to PROVE that there's anything unfair or bad faith (from legal sense). If a FB-reliant firm shuts down, it may suck but proving unfair, anti-competitive behavior is hard...

5/ But every once in a while, stars align & a firm CAN show clear EVIDENCE that such consolidation of power leads big tech firms to become UTILITIES (I won't use M-word) & their dominance can indeed tilt level field to create anti-competitive behavior that DOES harm users, firms

6/ Thus while it's implausible/unlikely for any single party/person to play David & take down these Goliaths, if a firm emerged with such proof which could also be presented in simple/clear fashion for politicians to follow plot then indeed Big Tech is suscepible to AntiTrust/END

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