Apple & Google Tell US Lawmaker Antitrust Bill Would Harm Privacy

Apple and Google argued to lawmakers Tuesday, January 18, that bipartisan antitrust legislation aimed at curbing the power of big technology companies would harm the privacy and security of users if it becomes law, reported the LA Times.

Escalating its opposition to the legislation, Apple sent a letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Richard J. Durbin; the panel’s ranking Republican, Charles E. Grassley; Antitrust Subcommittee Chair Amy Klobuchar; and the subcommittee’s ranking Republican, Mike Lee. The letter, which was obtained by Bloomberg News, underscores Apple’s push to protect its App Store from government oversight and changes that would disrupt its business model.

“After a tumultuous year that witnessed multiple controversies regarding social media, whistle-blower allegations of long-ignored risks to children, and ransomware attacks that hobbled critical infrastructure, it would be ironic if Congress responds by making it much harder to protect the privacy and security of Americans’ personal devices,” Tim Powderly, Apple’s senior director of government affairs, wrote in the letter. “Unfortunately, that is what these bills would do.”

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