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☆ CVS, UnitedHealth, Cigna sue to block FTC case over insulin prices
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

CVS Health , UnitedHealth Group and Cigna sued the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday, claiming that the agency's case against drug supply chain middlemen over high insulin prices in the U.S. is unconstitutional. The FTC's in-house administrative process initiates a proceeding before an administrative judge who would hear the case. FTC commissioners then vote on that opinion. The Tuesday complaint argues that the FTC's process violates the companies' due process rights under the Fifth Amendment. The complaint comes a month after CVS, UnitedHealth Group and Cigna demanded FTC Chair Lina Khan and two other commissioners recuse themselves from the agency's in-house suit.

Persons: Cigna, CVS's Caremark, Douglas Farrar, Lina Khan Organizations: CVS Health, UnitedHealth, Federal Trade Commission, Eastern, of, FTC, Cigna's, CVS Locations: U.S, of Missouri, Caremark

☆ We're prepared to defend 'click-to-cancel' rule in court, says FTC's Douglas Farrar
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailWe're prepared to defend 'click-to-cancel' rule in court, says FTC's Douglas FarrarDouglas Farrar, FTC director of public affairs, joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss the FTC's click-to-cancel rule being challenged by media companies.

Persons: We're, FTC's Douglas Farrar Douglas Farrar

☆ Harris can chart her own path with the top regulators — and Big Business hopes she's on their side
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-16 | by ( Alice Tecotzky | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Chris Larsen, the billionaire founder of blockchain payments company Ripple who is among the execs to endorse Harris, told Business Insider he wants her to make different appointments if she wins. "The way that they have already been interacting with business leaders is a compelling indication of where things could go in the future," Levie told Business Insider. Kovacic previously told Business Insider that Harris' relationship to economic progressives like Warren remains unclear. "It's not as though they think she will simply be an agent of Big Tech," he previously told Business Insider. "In the next four years, we'll be dealing with major policy subjects that relate to the next many decades of innovation," he told Business Insider.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, hamstrung, he'd, Sen, Elizabeth Warren of, Biden, Warren, Warren's, Lina Khan, Gary Gensler, Kamala Harris, Khan, William Kovacic, That's, Harris, Adam Kovacevich, Elizabeth Warren, Kovacevich, Kamala Harris doesn't, Politico, winced, Aaron Levie, Arati Prabhakar, Chris Larsen, Larsen, Catalini, Gensler, Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban, Levie, Kovacic, Obama, Douglas Farrar, we'll Organizations: Service, White, Democratic, Business, Federal Trade Commission, Securities, Exchange, George Washington University, of, Consumers Bank Association, Science, Technology, Bloomberg, MIT Cryptoeconomics, SEC, Dallas Mavericks, FTC, Democratic Party, Warren, Biden, Big Tech, Harris Locations: Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Biden's, Harris, California, Gensler

☆ In Harris, business leaders tired of Biden see a potential friend
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-30 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Some business leaders and wealthy donors are hopeful that Harris will adopt more centrist policies as she outlines her agenda, especially by dialing back Biden-era antitrust crackdowns. “CEOs are wildly excited about Harris,” Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, founder and president of the Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute, told CNN in a phone interview. Sonnenfeld pointed to confidence that Harris will protect the rule of law and hopes for recalibrated trade, regulatory and tax policies. Meanwhile, Harris, somewhat of an unknown commodity on business policy, hasn’t said much about where she stands. Another key sticking point is energy, where Trump has tried to blame the Biden-Harris administration for periods of high gas prices.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Harris, Biden, ” Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Sonnenfeld, Lina Khan, Khan’s, hasn’t, “, ”, Greg Valliere, Democratic megadonor Reid Hoffman, Khan, Hoffman, Barry Diller, Diller, It’s, ” Diller, ‘, haven’t, PCCC, Adam Green, Harris –, ” Green, Lina Khan –, ” Sonnenfeld, “ It’s, Douglas Farrar, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, ” Trump, “ You’re, Lauren Hitt, didn’t Organizations: New, New York CNN, Biden, Big Tech, Democratic, Yale, Leadership, CNN, Federal Trade Commission, Progressives, AGF Investments, Business, Big Oil, Microsoft, FTC, “, Activision, CNBC, IAC, Progressive, Khan, Public Citizen, AFL, NAACP, Harris Administration Locations: New York, North Carolina

☆ LinkedIn billionaire is going all-in on Kamala Harris. But he wants her to make a big change
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

New York CNN —LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman is throwing his financial firepower behind Vice President Kamala Harris. Ohio Sen. JD Vance, the GOP nominee for vice president, is a fan. Harris campaign: No discussions on replacing KhanHoffman told CNN he “certainly” hasn’t directly pushed Harris to replace Khan. A Harris campaign aide told CNN that there have been “no policy discussions” about replacing Khan at the current time. That was a mistake,” Hoffman told CNN.

Persons: Reid Hoffman, Kamala Harris, Hoffman, CNN he’s, Harris, United States ’, Lina Khan, “ Lina Khan, ” Hoffman, Joe Biden, “, Khan, ”, Bernie Sanders, Hoffman Khan, Sen, Mr, Hoffman ”, Massachusetts Sen, Elizabeth Warren, Khan . Ohio Sen, JD Vance, Vance, Biden, Khan Hoffman, hasn’t, Brian Fung, Douglas Farrar, Biden Harris, Harris team’s, ” Farrar, Farrar, “ Trump, Donald Trump, Trump, Steven Cheung, George Soros ”, Mark Cuban, Peter Thiel, Thiel, Arizona Sen, Mark Kelly, Josh Shapiro, Gretchen Whitmer, Gina Raimondo Organizations: New, New York CNN, LinkedIn, Biden, Harris, PAC, CNN, Federal Trade, Democratic, Microsoft, FTC, “, Big Oil, Big Tech, Forward PAC, GOP, Republican, Activision Blizzard, Mattress, Trump, US Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Locations: New York, United States, America, Vermont, Massachusetts, Khan . Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan

☆ Illegal Eviction Complaints Rise As Police Fail to Enforce
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Cecilia Reyes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +44 min

The nature of illegal lockouts means they are hard to track directly. One of the responding officers calls a sergeant over, who says there's nothing else they can do. While only 14% of lockout calls led to a police report, 86% of calls about shoplifting did. As they walk over, one of the officers tells the other to look up "illegal lockout" on his phone. A 2006 bill that would have defined illegal lockouts for all Illinois residents was defeated.

Persons: Alfred Perry, He'd, Perry, Dan Wright, Perry didn't, Wright, Bridget Bennett, Dan hadn't, I'd, he'd, Charlie Bliss, Matthew Desmond, Lockouts, Jersey City's, haven't, he's, David Leibowitz, Leibowitz, —, Pretium —, Kristi DesJarlais, Siegel, Sean Thueson , , Thueson, Blackstone, lockouts, Pretium, Katherine Kelly, RealPage, Jennifer Bowcock, William Prosser ,, they're, Donna Rossi, Sara Heymann, Meghan Aguilar, Misty Skinner, Skinner, Levi Wilhelm, It's, hasn't, I've, Wilhelm, they'd, Jeffrey Uno, Deirdre Orange, isn't, Daniel Benavidez, Jenny Chavez, criminalizing, Rob Bonta, Eric Carter, John Bartlett, Carter, Fred Fuchs, Steve Cohen, Michael Bennet, Sarah Saadian, Douglas Farrar, Kelly, Fuchs, Heymann, who've Organizations: Labor, Chrysler, Social Security, Business, North Las Vegas Police Department, Child Protective Services, Las Vegas Justice, Atlanta Legal, Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta, Supreme, Department of Housing, Los Angeles Police Department, Houston —, Arizona, Housing Association, Invitation Homes, Siegel, Siegel Group, Blackstone ., Progress, Homes, Union, city's Housing Department, Miami, Police, Houston, Houston Police Department, Phoenix, Criminal, Chicago, Chicago Department, LAPD, Records, Jersey City, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Las Vegas Metro Police, Legal, Foundation of Los, Phoenix Police Department, Fulton County Marshal's Department, Avondale Police Department, Avondale Police, Metropolitan Tenants Organization, Texas Justice Court, Court Training Center, Illinois, National Weather Service, Democratic, Senate, Income Housing Coalition, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, FTC, AGs Locations: Las Vegas, Detroit, Vegas, United States, Perry's, Princeton, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, South Chicago, Phoenix, Jersey, New Jersey, Jersey City, Houston, Nevada, . Texas, Harris County, Texas, Arizona, Washington, city's, Atlanta , Miami, California, New York City, Spring Valley, Spring Valley , Nevada, Las, Foundation of Los Angeles, Avondale , Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia , Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, In Connecticut , Massachusetts, Minnesota , New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Illinois

☆ Judge delays ban on noncompete agreements for employees
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

New York CNN —A federal judge on Wednesday delayed a ban on noncompete agreements from taking effect for a small number of US workers on September 4. Unless the judge makes another ruling before that date, the ban will go into effect for the majority of employers in the US. The ban, which prohibits employers from enforcing noncompete clauses in most existing employment agreements and bans companies from including them in all future ones, was approved by the Federal Trade Commission in April. The FTC estimates that 30 million people — one in five US workers — are bound by a noncompete clause in their current jobs. In response to the order, FTC spokesperson Douglas Farrar said, “The FTC stands by our clear authority, supported by statute and precedent, to issue this rule.

Persons: ”, Ada Brown, Ryan, Daryl Joseffer, Douglas Farrar Organizations: New, New York CNN, Court, Northern, Northern District of Texas, Federal Trade Commission, Ryan LLC, US Chamber of Commerce, Business, Texas Association of Business, Longview Chamber of Commerce, Plaintiff, FTC, US, of Commerce, U.S, Chamber Locations: New York, Northern District, Texas, Longview

☆ 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."

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