Thread by @matthewstoller

Arizona legislature debating anti-monopoly bill to force Google and Apple to compete on app distribution. azleg.gov/videoplayer/?c…

Apple has Democrats attacking the app store anti-monopoly bill by attaching an amendment mandating all savings from the bill have to go to consumers. No, this doesn't make any sense. azleg.gov/videoplayer/?c…

Democrats @KelliButlerAZ is just talking about interfering with Apple's right to contract. This is just so insane to have the progressives be the bulwark for big tech monopoly power.

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. Progressive Democrat @Diego4Justice is on the floor debating on behalf of Apple and Google. "I'm confused why you're describing Apple as a monopoly when it has only 40% of the market."

Meanwhile conservative Republican @recobbforazrep is noting that Apple and Google can use data to copycat apps and then block them from their stores. The GOP are the ones fighting against tech monopolies in this case, Dems are pushing Chicago School libertarian ideas.

Now progressive Democrat @Diego4Justice is saying that a state interfering with private contracts is unconstitutional. This is so insane. Progressives for Lochner!

I hope @davidcicilline has a conversation with some of these progressives. The House Antitrust Subcommittee, spearheaded by the Dems, found Apple is a monopoly.

https://twitter.com/leah_nylen/status/1367172532877598722

Apple “has a dominant position in the mobile app store market and monopoly power over distribution of software applications on iOS devices.” - House Antitrust Subcommittee, chaired by progressive Democrat @davidcicilline

This is a progressive Democrat.

https://twitter.com/leah_nylen/status/1367173957829419011

Now a Democrat is talking about how the bill is unconstitutional because of the dormant commerce clause. It's hard to describe just how fringe libertarian this is.

Now a Republican is saying that the bill has moved too fast and he's making bullshit excuses about how this bill doesn't help consumers enough. It's almost comforting to see a Republican shill for big business.

Here's social justice advocate and Democrat @reginaldbolding saying that the bill to constrain Apple and Google monopoly power is premature. Wow. Now he's talking about how the state shouldn't determine fees in the private market. This is so cringe.

This vote isn't breaking down on a partisan basis. Republican John Kavanagh says he's a no.

Now Democrat @aaron4az cites the @davidcicilline report and says he's voting for the bill. And a Republican gets up and talks about how hard it is to compete against monopolies. A Democrat says antitrust is a Federal issue and votes no. This is insane.

It's @recobbforazrep favorably citing the House Dem Antitrust report by @davidcicilline on big tech's monopoly power. She's a conservative Republican!

Arizona bill passes 31-29. Wow. Huge loss for Google and Apple. Still not done in the state. But wow.

AELP statement on the passage of the Arizona anti-monopoly bill here: economicliberties.us/press-release/…

My full write-up of the fight to take on Apple and Google app store monopolies, from Epic to North Dakota to Arizona, is here. mattstoller.substack.com/p/apple-threat…