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☆ Scott Sheffield, former Pioneer CEO, accused of trying to conspire with OPEC to inflate prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Scott Sheffield, the founder and longtime CEO of a leading American oil producer, attempted to collude with OPEC and its allies to inflate prices, federal regulators alleged on Thursday. Regulators say Sheffield, then the CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources, used WhatsApp conversations, in-person meetings and public statements to try to “align oil production” in the Permian Basin in Texas with that of OPEC and OPEC+, the wider group that includes Russia. Unlike with OPEC nations, US oil production is supposed to be decided by the free market, not by coordination among the major players. The FTC said that while Sheffield was discussing efforts to coordinate output with other Texas producers, the Pioneer CEO said: “If Texas leads the way, maybe we can get OPEC to cut production. Exxon said that in response to the FTC’s concerns, it will not add Sheffield to its board.

Persons: New York CNN — Scott Sheffield, “ Mr, —, Kyle Mach, Sheffield “, Douglas Farrar, Sheffield, ”, Exxon Organizations: New, New York CNN, OPEC, Federal Trade Commission, Sheffield, Organization of, Petroleum, Saudi Arabia, Regulators, Pioneer Natural Resources, FTC, ExxonMobil, Competition, CNN, Railroad Commission, Texas, Exxon Locations: New York, American, Saudi, Sheffield, Texas, OPEC, Russia, FTC’s, Saudi Arabia

☆ U.S. Chamber of Commerce, business groups sue FTC over ban on noncompete clauses
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and several other business groups on Wednesday sued the Federal Trade Commission in Texas federal court over the commission's vote to ban noncompete clauses, which are used to block employees from leaving to work for competitors in the same industry. On Tuesday, the FTC voted to enact the ban on the basis that noncompete clauses stifle the efficiency of the labor market, hinder competition and can lead to higher prices for consumers. The business groups claimed that the FTC's ban, "breaks with centuries of state and federal law." In addition to the Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, Texas Association of Business and Longview Chamber of Commerce are all plaintiffs in the suit. The FTC suggested that instead of relying on noncompete clauses, companies should look to other safeguards of information, like nondisclosure agreements.

Persons: Lina Khan, Douglas Farrar Organizations: House Energy, Commerce, U.S . Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday, Federal Trade Commission, Federal, U.S . Chamber, Eastern District of Texas, Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, Texas Association of Business, Longview Chamber, FTC, CNBC Locations: Texas, Eastern District

☆ FTC investigating TikTok over privacy and security
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Brian Fung | Samantha Delouya | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The Federal Trade Commission is investigating TikTok for its data and security practices, two sources told CNN on the condition of anonymity. The agency is also investigating whether TikTok violated a portion of the FTC Act, which prohibits “unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce,” the sources said. The FTC could bring a suit against TikTok in the coming weeks, according to the sources. The FTC probe comes as TikTok faces an existential threat in the US. The short-form video company, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, has denied assertions that its app poses a national security threat to US citizens.

Persons: TikTok, Public Affairs Douglas Farrar, “, ” TikTok, Joe Biden Organizations: CNN, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, TikTok, Politico, Public Affairs, Senate Locations: China

☆ FTC plans to hire child psychologist to guide internet rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Federal Trade Commission plans to hire at least one child psychologist who can guide its work on internet regulation, Democratic Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya told The Record in an interview published Monday. FTC Chair Lina Khan backs the plan, Bedoya told the outlet, adding that he hopes it can become a reality by next fall, though the commission does not yet have a firm timeline. Surgeon General issued an advisory in May that young people's social media use poses significant mental health risks. Bedoya told The Record that it's "absolutely part of that tradition of systematically expanding our expertise." "If someone is making an allegation about mental health harms, I have no full-time staff who are experts in the psychology of it."

Persons: Alvaro Bedoya, Lina Khan, Bedoya, Douglas Farrar, I've, Aspen Institute's Vivian Schiller Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Democratic, FTC, CNBC, ., U.S, Privacy, Technology, Georgetown University Law Center, Aspen Locations: Federal, U.S

That shift in legal doctrine was profound, shaping how courts have applied antitrust law ever since. Khan’s ideas have challenged the closest thing to a sacred cow in antitrust law. The most ambitious of those never became law, but Khan’s role in the probe, which Cicilline described as “critical,” helped further raise her profile. Amazon and Meta have both pushed for Khan to recuse herself from matters involving the companies, questioning her objectivity. The US Federal Trade Commission sued Amazon.com Inc. in a long-anticipated antitrust case, accusing the e-commerce giant of monopolizing online marketplace services by degrading quality for shoppers and overcharging sellers.

Persons: Lina Khan, Khan, Stephanie Keith, ” Khan, “, Joe Biden, ”, William Kovacic, George W, Bush, Barry Lynn, Lynn, New America Foundation —, Obama, —, ” Lina Khan, Rong Xu, ” Lynn, it’s, ’ ”, Reagan, Robert Hockett, Khan’s, David Cicilline, Lina, ” Cicilline, Cicilline, Justin Tallis, Biden, Trump, Douglas Farrar, Gary Gensler, Tom Williams, Jonathan Kanter, Roe, Wade, Kevin Kiley, Meta, she’s, “ We’ve, they’re, Federal Trade Commission Lina Khan, Al Drago, Kathleen Bradish, Bradish, Christine Wilson, Wilson, Noah Phillips, Gabby Jones, NetChoice, Carl Szabo, “ It’s, ” Szabo, There’s, ” Kovacic Organizations: CNN, Federal Trade Commission, Amazon, FTC, Big, Microsoft, Meta, Bloomberg, Getty, Republican, White House, Williams College, New America Foundation, Washington Monthly, Yale Law, Washington Post, Cornell Law School, Big Tech, Rhode, Rhode Island Democratic, Apple, Facebook, Cambridge, Activision, SEC, Financial Services, General Government, Securities and Exchange Commission, Capitol, Justice Department, Epic Games, California Republican, Washington , D.C, American Antitrust Institute, GOP, US Federal Trade Commission, Amazon.com Inc Locations: Big Tech, Robbinsville , New Jersey, Washington, Larchmont , New York, Rhode Island, Washington ,, New York

☆ Five takeaways from the FTC's 172-page antitrust lawsuit against Amazon
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Washington CNN —An antitrust lawsuit from 17 states and the Federal Trade Commission this week against Amazon represents the US government’s biggest regulatory challenge yet against the e-commerce juggernaut. The landmark case targets Amazon’s retail platform, alleging that it’s harmed shoppers and sellers alike on a massive scale. Here are five of the biggest highlights and takeaways from the plaintiffs’ 172-page lawsuit. Just this month, the FTC added three Amazon officials to a separate consumer protection case dealing with Amazon Prime. Instead, the plaintiffs have to show that Amazon is part of a well-defined geographic and economic market that it dominates.

Persons: Lina Khan, Amazon, David Zapolsky, ” Khan, Khan, Douglas Farrar, ” Farrar, superstores, ” What’s, Jeff Bezos, “, ” Organizations: Washington CNN, Federal Trade Commission, Amazon, US, Walmart, Target, eBay, Amazon Music, Bloomberg News, CNN, Amazon Prime, FTC Locations: Seattle, United States

☆ Amazon punishes sellers that offer their items for less elsewhere, the FTC says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Marketplace Pulse reported in February that Amazon sellers are paying as much as 50% of their revenue to Amazon in fees, a point that is echoed in the FTC's suit. "Amazon also recognizes that sellers believe 'that it has become more difficult over time to be profitable on Amazon,'" the FTC filing reads. According to the filing, Amazon's ads reach 96% of Americans between the ages of 25 and 54 each month. "According to an internal Amazon study, Amazon's sellers live 'in constant fear' of Amazon arbitrarily interfering with their ability to sell on Amazon, which 'put[s] their businesses and livelihoods at risk,'" the complaint reads. "When Amazon detects elsewhere online a product that is cheaper than a seller's offer for the same product on Amazon, Amazon punishes that seller," it reads.

Persons: David Zapolsky, Zapolsky, Nessie, Douglas Farrar Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Marketplace, Amazon, Amazon Prime

☆ Microsoft's Xbox plans revealed in emails tied to FTC case
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Kevin Collier | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An attorney with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) carries an XBOX game console box following a hearing at the Phillip Burton Federal Building and U.S. A huge collection of purported Xbox files related to the Federal Trade Commission's case against Microsoft have been published online, spilling some of the company's plans for the gaming console into public view. They include more than 100 documents, many of them partially redacted, related to Microsoft's Xbox plans. The files include emails from corporate executives like Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer and timetables for gaming releases. Some of the documents include Microsoft Gaming senior employees discussing the value of the exclusive hold they have on key video game titles.

Persons: Phillip Burton, Douglas Farrar, Phil Spencer, It's Organizations: Federal Trade Commission, Phillip Burton Federal Building, Federal Trade, Microsoft, U.S, Northern, Northern District of, Activision Blizzard, NBC News, Microsoft Gaming, Sony, Elder Locations: San Francisco , California, Northern District, Northern District of California

WASHINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge ruled on Tuesday that Microsoft may go forward with its planned acquisition of videogame maker Activision Blizzard, turning aside antitrust enforcers' request for a preliminary injunction to temporarily stop the $69 billion deal. The FTC had originally asked the judge to stop the proposed deal, arguing it would give Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O), maker of the Xbox gaming console, exclusive access to Activision (ATVI.O) games including the best-selling "Call of Duty." The deal would be the largest for Microsoft and the biggest in the history of the videogame business. The FTC's complaint had cited concerns about loss of competition in console gaming, as well as subscriptions and cloud gaming. And while much of the testimony in the recent trial focused on "Call of Duty," Activision produces other bestsellers like "World of Warcraft," "Diablo" and the mobile game "Candy Crush Saga."

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, Douglas Farrar, we'll, Brad Smith, Bobby Kotick, Satya Nadella, Diane Bartz, Caitlin Webber Organizations: Microsoft, Activision, Britain's, Markets Authority, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Microsoft Corp, Sony PlayStation, Nintendo, Sony Group, Activision Blizzard, PlayStation, Thomson Locations: U.S, San Francisco

Activision shares surged 10% on the day, as the U.S. and Britain have been the two countries opposed to what would be Microsoft's biggest deal ever and the largest transaction in the videogame industry's history. Microsoft shares rose 64 cents to $332.47. Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard's games characters in this illustration taken January 18, 2022. "It does seem like the Microsoft and the CMA could work out a deal within the next couple of weeks," said D.A. The FTC's complaint had cited concerns about loss of competition in console gaming, as well as subscriptions and cloud gaming.

Persons: Jacqueline Scott Corley, ”, Joost Van Dreunen, University's, Corley, Douglas Farrar, we'll, Dado Ruvic, Biden, Brad Smith, Franco Granda, Satya Nadella, Diane Bartz, David Shepardson, Jaspreet Singh, Aditya Soni, Chris Sanders, Caitlin Webber, Matthew Lewis David Gregorio, Muralikumar Organizations: Activision, Microsoft, Biden, U.S, Markets Authority, University's Stern School of Business, U.S . Federal Trade Commission, Nintendo, Sony Group, FTC, Sony PlayStation, REUTERS, FOCUS Gaming, CMA, Davidson &, PlayStation, Thomson Locations: WASHINGTON, U.S, British, Britain, San Francisco, New, Washington, Bengaluru

☆ Microsoft can close its Activision merger, federal judge rules
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —A federal judge will not block Microsoft (MSFT) from closing its $69 billion deal to acquire video game giant Activision Blizzard, a defeat for US regulators who had asked for a temporary injunction while legal challenges to the merger unfold. Microsoft could potentially finalize the deal with Activision in a matter of days, ahead of a July 18 contractual deadline, or the parties could mutually seek to extend that timeframe. During a five-day hearing last month in federal court, Microsoft executives including CEO Satya Nadella testified that properties such as “Call of Duty” would not be restricted from competitors following the deal’s close. UK officials also previously moved to block the Activision merger in April, citing some of the same concerns the FTC raised in its case and triggering an appeal from Microsoft. “Microsoft and Activision have agreed with the CMA that a stay of the litigation in the UK would be in the public interest and the parties have made a joint submission … to this effect.”

Persons: ”, “, Jacqueline Scott Corley, Corley, Satya Nadella, Tuesday’s, Microsoft’s, “ We’re, Brad Smith, we’ve, Bobby Kotick, Meta’s, ” Douglas Farrar, we’ll, ” Smith Organizations: CNN, Microsoft, Activision, US, Court, Northern, Northern District of, Sony PlayStation, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, Regulators, Nvidia, Nintendo, “, PlayStation, Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Markets, CMA Locations: Northern District, Northern District of California, ”, San Francisco

☆ FTC chair Khan accused of 'abuse of power' in new US House probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, June 1 (Reuters) - The House Oversight Committee's Chairman James Comer opened a probe Thursday into U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan's management of the agency, citing complaints of abuse of power. In a letter to Khan and agency officials dated Thursday, Comer cited complaints made by former commissioner Christine Wilson, a Republican. She had accused Khan of abuse of power by voting to challenge Meta's acquisition of virtual reality content maker Within. Wilson argued that Khan had said before coming to the FTC that Meta should be barred from making additional acquisitions, and that this meant Khan should be recused from FTC deliberations regarding the deal. "Under Chair Khan, the FTC is proud to be defending American consumers from harm and ensuring fair competition in the economy.

Persons: James Comer, Lina Khan's, Khan, Comer, Christine Wilson, Wilson, Douglas Farrar, Diane Bartz, Chizu Organizations: . Federal Trade, Chamber, Commerce, Republican, Meta, FTC, of Commerce, Thomson Locations: American

☆ Facebook-Giphy sale shows how fear of regulators is slowing M&A market
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-26 | by ( Rohan Goswami | In Rohangoswamicnbc | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri touted Giphy's "amazing team" and "expressive" userbase, and stressed Giphy's user data was "not the motivation." The sale was forced by the U.K.'s antitrust regulator, which ruled Meta's acquisition posed a risk to the social media and advertising markets. Jonathan Kanter, who helms the Department of Justice's Antitrust Unit, and Lina Khan, the Federal Trade Commission's chair, have been given wide latitude by President Joe Biden to pursue potentially anticompetitive behavior. Prior to his DOJ posting, Kanter worked in private practice, advising directors and executives on potential deals and attendant regulatory pitfalls. Van Grack, the former chief of the DOJ's Foreign Agent Registration Act unit, noted regulatory scrutiny was increasing for years prior to the current administration.

☆ FTC chair met UK antitrust officials last week but did not talk deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Graeme Jennings/Pool via REUTERSWASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) - Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan met with the heads of other antitrust enforcers, including Britain's, last week but no mergers were discussed, according to an FTC official who spoke amid allegations the FTC and UK are working together to block Microsoft's bid for Activision. The FTC official, speaking on Thursday, was responding to comments made by the game-maker's CEO, Bobby Kotick, who told CNBC he believed that the U.S. agency had pushed Britain's CMA to stop the planned acquisition. Kotick said: "I was surprised to learn that Lina Khan and the head of the CMA had a meeting a week and a half ago in Washington. The FTC official, who was not authorized to speak on the record but who was present at the virtual meeting, said that officials had no discussions of any mergers being reviewed or other ongoing investigations. When a deal appears blatantly anticompetitive then independent antitrust regulators can simply make their own judgments," said spokesperson Douglas Farrar.

☆ House Judiciary Committee subpoenas FTC for Twitter-related documents
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Ranking member Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, right, attends the House Judiciary Committee hearing titled Revoking Your Rights: The Ongoing Crisis in Abortion Care Access, in Rayburn Building, on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. A Republican-led House committee said Wednesday it subpoenaed the Federal Trade Commission for documents related to the agency's inquiry into Twitter. The subpoena comes after the House Judiciary Committee asked the FTC to hand over the information voluntarily last month. An FTC spokesperson said the agency had offered to brief congressional staff on its inquiry but that they hadn't yet taken the FTC up on that offer. "The FTC respects the important role of Congressional oversight," FTC spokesperson Douglas Farrar said in a statement.

☆ FTC says it’s conducting an investigation into Twitter’s privacy practices
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

If proven, violations of Twitter’s consent decree could pave the way for billions in fines, new limitations on Twitter’s operations or potentially even binding obligations on Musk or other executives. “Protecting consumers’ privacy is exactly what the FTC is supposed to do,” said agency spokesman Douglas Farrar. Those allegations prompted a Senate hearing and, as the FTC acknowledged this week, a formal investigation into whether Twitter has breached its commitments. Testifying before the Senate last year, FTC Chair Lina Khan told lawmakers that Twitter’s executives could “absolutely” be held personally accountable if an investigation finds those executives facilitated violations of an FTC consent decree. “No CEO or company is above the law, and companies must follow our consent decrees,” the FTC said at the time.

☆ FTC won’t block Amazon acquisition of One Medical, but scrutiny of the deal is not over
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The One Medical deal would also allow Amazon to expand its telehealth services and acquire valuable relationships with hospital systems, industry analysts have said. But while Amazon can consummate the deal without the immediate threat of an FTC antitrust suit, the agency is still investigating the acquisition. “The FTC’s investigation of Amazon’s acquisition of One Medical continues,” said FTC spokesman Douglas Farrar. The FTC plans to warn Amazon it may close the deal at its own risk, an agency official said. Amazon’s deal to acquire One Medical follows its 2018 purchase of the online pharmacy service PillPack, which later became Amazon Pharmacy.

☆ Amazon closes deal to buy primary care provider One Medical
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( Annie Palmer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Amazon on Wednesday said it had closed its $3.9 billion deal for primary care provider One Medical. Amazon agreed last July to acquire One Medical to deepen its presence in health care, and "dramatically improve" the experience of getting medical care. The deal gives Amazon access to One Medical's more than 200 brick-and-mortar medical offices in 26 markets, and roughly 815,000 members. In a statement, he said health care is ripe for disruption, citing long appointment times and the complexities of primary care. "Together, we believe we can make the health care experience easier, faster, more personal, and more convenient for everyone."

☆ The Federal Trade Commission says it is tracking Elon Musk's Twitter 'with deep concern' as top privacy execs quit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The FTC said it's tracking developments at Twitter "with deep concern," per Reuters. It made the comment after four top execs in charge of privacy at Twitter reportedly resigned. Elon Musk said on Thursday that he and his team would fully comply with FTC rules. Twitter has also fired half of its global workforce, roughly 3,700 people, alongside several other tech giants that conducted mass layoffs. Chief Privacy Officer Damien Kieran and Chief Compliance Officer Marianne Fogarty also resigned, according to Reuters, citing a Slack message among Twitter's staff posted by an internal lawyer.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission said it was watching Twitter with "deep concern" after these three privacy and compliance officers quit. Twitter did not respond to requests for comment on a potential bankruptcy, the FTC warning, or the departures. Wheeler was the face of Twitter for advertising after Musk took over. Musk has saddled Twitter with $13 billion in debt, on which it faces interest payments totaling close to $1.2 billion in the next 12 months. It joined other brands including General Motors (GM.N) that have paused advertising on Twitter since Musk took over, concerned that he will loosen content moderation rules.

Chief Privacy Officer Damien Kieran and Chief Compliance Officer Marianne Fogarty have also resigned, according to an internal message seen by Reuters. He announced plans to cut half its workforce last week, promised to stop fake accounts and is charging $8 a month for the Twitter Blue service that will include a blue check verification. "We are tracking recent developments at Twitter with deep concern," Douglas Farrar, the FTC's director of public affairs, told Reuters. "Elon puts rockets into space, he's not afraid of the FTC," the attorney quoted Spiro as saying. Twitter did not respond to a request for comment on the FTC warning, the note from the attorney or the departures.

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