DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File PhotoWASHINGTON, Aug 7 (Reuters) - Amazon.com (AMZN.O) is set to meet next week with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ahead of a potential long-awaited antitrust lawsuit against the retailer, according to a source familiar with the matter. The FTC began probing Amazon during former President Donald Trump's administration when the government decided to investigate Amazon, Google, Faceboook and Apple for allegedly breaking antitrust law. The company has been criticized for allegedly favoring its own products and disfavoring outside sellers on its platform, among other allegations. Amazon is expected to argue at the meetings with the commissioners that the FTC should not file an antitrust suit against the company, a separate source said. The Justice Department has sued Google twice, once regarding its search business and a second time on advertising technology.

Persons: Gonzalo Fuentes, Donald Trump's, Lina Khan, David Shepardson, Diane Bartz, Chris Reese, Mark Potter, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Viva Technology, Porte de, REUTERS, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Google, Apple, Amazon, Yale, Trump Justice Department, Facebook, Meta's Facebook, Thomson Locations: Porte, Paris, France

Google (GOOGL.O) had asked for summary judgment on all the government's claims in the case, which is to go to trial next month. Google said Friday it appreciated the court's "careful consideration and decision to dismiss claims regarding the design of Google Search" in the case brought by the state attorneys general. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong praised the decision to allow the states Google search antitrust suit to proceed to trial. Mehta noted Google LLC operates the largest U.S. internet general search engine whose "brand name has become so ubiquitous that dictionaries recognize it as a verb." He noted Google in 2020 had nearly 90% market share and advertisers spend over $80 billion annually alone to reach general search users.

Persons: Gonzalo Fuentes, Judge Amit Mehta, Google's, Mehta, William Tong, Tong, Trump, Judge Mehta, Diane Bartz, David Shepardson, Mark Porter, Diane Craft Organizations: Google, Viva Technology, Porte de, REUTERS, Justice Department, Big Tech, Microsoft Corp, Apple, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Verizon, Mozilla, Justice, Department, Thomson Locations: Porte, Paris, France, WASHINGTON, U.S, Washington, Connecticut, Virginia

The update of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which first became law in 2000, would raise the age of children protected by the measure from 12 and under to 16 and under. The AM radio bill and the ticket-pricing bill both had strong bipartisan support and both have companion measures in the House of Representatives. Fees on ticket prices have become an increasing issue. They can comprise 21% to 58% of ticket prices for some events, according to studies from the New York Attorney General's office and Government Accountability Office. The AM radio bill would direct the Transportation Department to issue regulations mandating AM radio in new vehicles without additional charge.

Persons: Amanda Andrade, Rhoades, Taylor Swift, that’s, David Shepardson, Diane Bartz, Leslie Adler Organizations: U.S . Capitol, REUTERS, WASHINGTON, U.S, Senate, Ticketmaster, New York Attorney, Transportation Department, BMW, Volkswagen, Ford, Lawmakers, National Association of Broadcasters, Alliance, Automotive Innovation, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S

JetBlue said it had informed American last week of its decision to terminate the three-year-old alliance, which allowed the two carriers to coordinate flights and pool revenue. The "Northeast Alliance" with JetBlue helped American compete in the New York market, where it had been losing money. On May 19, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston ordered JetBlue and American to end the partnership, saying it "substantially" diminished competition in the domestic market. JetBlue said its decision to unwind the alliance would not result in any immediate changes for customers. But without the alliance, Hayes said JetBlue would likely need fewer employees in New York and Boston.

Persons: judge's, U.S . Justice Department's, Robin Hayes, Andre Barlow, Doyle, Barlow, Mazard PLLC, Leo Sorokin, Hayes, Rajesh Kumar Singh, David Shepardson Diane Bartz, Will Dunham, David Gregorio, Jamie Freed Organizations: JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, The, JetBlue, American, U.S, U.S ., US Airways, DOJ, ALLIANCE, District, Northeast Alliance, furloughs, Thomson Locations: U.S, The New York, American, New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington

May 31 (Reuters) - American Airlines Group (AAL.O) will appeal a U.S. court decision requiring it to end an alliance with JetBlue Airways Corp (JBLU.O), American CEO Robert Isom said on Wednesday. "We've got a legal system that allows for appeal, and we're going to do that," Isom told the Bernstein Conference. American is the largest U.S. airline by fleet size and low-cost carrier JetBlue is the sixth largest. Even as the Texas-based carrier prepares to appeal the ruling, Isom said it will have to work with the Justice Department and JetBlue to figure out what it does in the interim. American, which reiterated its full-year profit forecast Wednesday, doesn't expect the court ruling to have a material impact on its earnings.

Persons: Robert Isom, Leo Sorokin, We've, Isom, Sorokin, Joe Biden's, doesn't, Rajesh Kumar Singh, David Shepardson, Diane Bartz, Deepa Babington, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: American Airlines Group, JetBlue Airways Corp, . U.S, District, Bernstein Conference, JetBlue, U.S . Justice Department, U.S, Justice Department, Thomson Locations: U.S, American, ., Boston, New York, Texas, Chicago, Washington

WASHINGTON, April 11 (Reuters) - The Biden administration said Tuesday it is seeking public comments on potential accountability measures for artificial intelligence (AI) systems as questions loom about its impact on national security and education. The agency wants to know if there are measures that could be put in place to provide assurance "that AI systems are legal, effective, ethical, safe, and otherwise trustworthy." “Responsible AI systems could bring enormous benefits, but only if we address their potential consequences and harms. President Joe Biden last week said it remained to be seen whether AI is dangerous. "Tech companies have a responsibility, in my view, to make sure their products are safe before making them public," he said.

REUTERS/Andrew KellyWASHINGTON, Dec 22 (Reuters) - A $1.7 trillion government funding bill approved by the U.S. Senate Thursday will bolster U.S. regulators and make it easier for states to bring antitrust lawsuits. The National Labor Relations Board is receiving a $25 million increase to $299 million after not receiving a funding lift in more than a decade. The International Trade Administration, which investigates foreign trade practices, is getting a $55 million increase to $625 million. The spending bill includes a measure that strengthens state attorneys general by allowing them to choose the venue where they bring antitrust lawsuits. The funding bill includes a new provision to ensure millions of working mothers have reasonable break time and a private place to pump breast milk.

The announcement by Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee antitrust panel, and Republican Senator Mike Lee confirmed a previous report by Reuters. A Kroger spokesperson said the company looked forward to the hearing. "We welcome the opportunity to outline how this transaction will benefit America’s consumers by expanding access to fresh, affordable food," the company said in a statement. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterSeparately, Klobuchar and fellow Democrats Richard Blumenthal and Cory Booker released a letter expressing concern about the deal. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by David Shepardson and Diane Bartz; Editing by Franklin Paul, Josie Kao and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

At the start of a three-week trial in Boston, Justice Department attorney William Jones said the Northeast Alliance, unveiled in July 2020, is a "de facto merger" of American and JetBlue's operations in Boston and New York. Hayes acknowledged that he had been critical of previous joint ventures similar to the Northeast Alliance. The trial started after a week in which U.S. judges ruled against the government in two antitrust fights: sugar and insurance. JetBlue is pursuing a $3.8 billion acquisition of low-cost rival Spirit Airlines (SAVE.N), subject to antitrust review. Hayes has said that no matter how the fight over the Northeast Alliance ends, it would be good for JetBlue's effort to buy Spirit.

Search resuls for: "David Shepardson Diane Bartz"

9 mentions found