Thread by @ShahidForChange

It took them long enough!

I’ve argued for years in favor of stronger antitrust enforcement—and spelled out a few ways to make it happen. eff.org/deeplinks/2019…

https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1313582322667720705

One of the most important things Congress could do when legislating new antitrust laws is to statutorily enshrine—and expand—the essential facilities doctrine.

It was judicially created to constrain monopolies, but has fallen out of favor as the right wing took over our courts.

Another key principle in strengthening antitrust enforcement of tech companies is recognizing—in the legal code, since courts have declined to acknowledge—that harms to consumers can include eroding privacy protections or service standards, not just price inflation.

Beyond tech, antitrust laws could also be expanded by rescinding the statutory exemptions long enjoyed by sports leagues that have prolifically suppressed the speech of their workers/players.

Antitrust exemptions are public subsidies that the leagues do not deserve.

Another way tech companies have abused users—and the Internet—is by acquiring their competitors to prevent competition.

Mergers & acquisitions require much greater scrutiny, and public participation in potential settlements. Regulators allow too many problematic mergers.

Mandating interoperability could also empower Internet users and put big tech firms in their place.

This is one shape that the essential facilities doctrine could take if statutorily enshrined and forced into the courts.

It will not likely happen until we #ReplacePelosi.

https://twitter.com/doctorow/status/1313874588565082113