Thread by @econliberties

Happy first #MonopolyMonday of 2022! 🎉

We’re excited to kick off yet another year by spotlighting countless monopolies and their broad range of harms

But this week, we’ll be discussing important work happening at the @FTC lead by antimonopoly champion @linakhanFTC.

2/ In June 2021, @linakhanFTC was appointed chair of the @FTC.

Since then, the agency has entered a new era of more effective, modern, and democratic enforcement to better protect consumers, workers, and independent businesses.

3/ While navigating a leadership transition during a pandemic, a merger wave, and unprecedented economic dominance driven by rampant concentration, @linakhanFTC steered the @FTC to protect families & businesses with stronger law enforcement.

🧵👇 for specific examples.

4/ The Commission has challenged monopolies and rampant consolidation by:
✅updating their antitrust suit against Facebook
✅unanimously voting to block NVIDIA-Arm merger
✅preventing Berkshire Hathaway Energy’s acquisition of Questar Pipeline and other mega-mergers

5/ Amid massive supply chain disruptions, the @FTC voted unanimously to launch an inquiry into whether consolidation and anti-competitive practices are contributing to supply chain snarls — requesting information from large retailers including @amazon, @Walmart & @TysonFoods.

6/ The @FTC has also laid the groundwork to restore the agency’s ability to address consolidation by:
✔️restricting future M&As for firms that have attempted anticompetitive mergers
✔️withdrawing the unsound Vertical Merger Guidelines
✔️changing the Merger Review Process

& more!

7/ To deter corporate wrongdoing, the @FTC revived the dormant Penalty Offense Authority to ensure corporations that knowingly break the law are justly penalized and not just getting a slap on the wrist.

8/ To protect consumers and honest businesses from corporations that make it difficult to repair their products, the @FTC unanimously voted to enforcing the “Right to Repair” and make it easier for consumers to fix their devices.

wired.com/story/ftc-vote…

9/ American ranchers & manufacturers already face challenges as they confront consolidation, let alone rampant fraud in “Made In America” labeling.

So, the @FTC issued a new rule cracking down on false Made In USA labels often used by meatpacking corps.
natlawreview.com/article/ftc-is…

10/ The @FTC has also ramped-up enforcement against illegal subscription scams that trap consumers — like the gym membership you easily signed up for to kickstart your new year’s resolution.

A new video from @MorePerfectUS w/ @linakhanFTC explains more ⬇️

https://twitter.com/MorePerfectUS/status/1479562234275766279/

11/ Under Chain Khan's leadership, the @FTC has stood up for working families by holding corporate criminals and scammers accountable.

Working families across the country had over $135 million returned to them by the FTC after it was stolen, swindled, or scammed from them. 💰

12/12 It's clear that with @linakhanFTC leading the charge, the @FTC has ushered in a new era of transparency this year.

Learn more about how the agency is working hard to protect working families & businesses from monopoly power👇
economicliberties.us/our-work/a-new…