FCC approves the merger of cable giants Cox and Charter
The Federal Communications Commission has approved Charter Communications' $34.5 billion acquisition of Cox Enterprises' residential cable, commercial fiber, and managed IT businesses. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr claimed the merger will expand rural connectivity and keep jobs in the U.S. The deal creates one of the largest cable and Wi-Fi providers in the country, consolidating significant telecommunications infrastructure under a single entity. The approval follows a pattern of merger-friendly decisions under the current FCC leadership.
Engadget • Feb 28
CORPORATE NEOCORP ANTITRUST
Microsoft's Japan Chief Stresses Compliance With Azure Antitrust Probe
Japan's Fair Trade Commission raided Microsoft Japan's Tokyo offices on February 25, investigating whether Microsoft's cloud service practices violate anti-monopoly laws. The probe examines allegations that Microsoft blocks Azure customers from using rival cloud services—tactics mirroring Microsoft's licensing practices already under scrutiny by UK, EU, and US regulators. Microsoft's Japan president stated the company is "fully cooperating" as regulators also seek information from Microsoft's US parent company.
Bloomberg • Feb 27
CORPORATE NEOCORP ANTITRUST
Slater's departure at DOJ signals new era for antitrust under Trump
Gail Slater, the Department of Justice's top antitrust enforcer, has resigned after less than a year leading the division amid repeated tensions with top Trump officials. Her departure raises questions about the administration's approach to major anti-monopoly cases and controversial mergers, including the proposed $70 billion Netflix-Warner Bros. Discovery deal. Trump had initially nominated Slater as part of a promised crackdown on Big Tech, declaring that "Big Tech has run wild for years."
The Hill • Feb 26
CORPORATE NEOCORP ANTITRUST
US antitrust enforcers to revamp guidelines on rivals collaborating
The Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission launched a public inquiry to develop updated antitrust guidance for businesses on competitor collaborations, including data sharing and pricing information exchange. The agencies seek input by April 24 on how new technologies have changed competitive dynamics, building on 2000-era guidelines that predate modern data aggregation and AI-driven business alliances.
Reuters • Feb 24
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Will Trump's DOJ actually take on Ticketmaster?
Gail Slater, who led the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, departed just weeks before the agency is set to face trial against Live Nation, creating uncertainty around federal enforcement in one of the year's most significant antitrust cases. At least 40 states joined the DOJ lawsuit, and state attorneys general have signaled they will continue the litigation regardless of federal participation, with California's top antitrust enforcer Paula Blizzard affirming trial will proceed March 2.
The Verge • Feb 24
CORPORATE ANTITRUST GEOPOLITICS
SerpApi asks court to dismiss Google web scraping lawsuit
A federal judge has allowed SerpApi's antitrust counterclaims against Google to proceed, finding the scraping company plausibly alleged that Google holds monopoly power in the search market and that its lawsuit against SerpApi could constitute exclusionary conduct. The ruling challenges the limits of how a monopolist can use Terms of Service to restrict access to information that has become essential internet infrastructure.
The Register • Feb 22
CORPORATE NEOCORP ANTITRUST
America desperately needs new privacy laws
Congress has repeatedly failed to pass comprehensive privacy legislation despite decades of corporate surveillance expansion. The Verge reports that even targeted measures like the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act—which would restrict police from using data brokers to bypass privacy laws—have stalled. Tech monopolies exacerbate privacy problems by reducing competition and centralizing information in exploitable silos, while new technologies from AR glasses to generative AI create fresh surveillance risks faster than regulatory frameworks can adapt.
The Verge • Feb 22
CORPORATE ANTITRUST SURVEILLANCE
Inside Spotify's Plot to Take Down Apple
Spotify's strategic campaign to use European regulations and antitrust actions to challenge Apple's App Store dominance and control.
Wall Street Journal • Sep 6
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