4 ms·

What is expected outcome of this? Can Google be expected to be broken up like Bell Corp?

by nafey 7y ago

ProAm 7y ago
I think this would be good for everyone. But Bell corp was broken up not only for the monopoly but also because the government essentially created and subsequently funded the monopoly. At the time it was needed (arguably so) to create a reliable nationwide communication network, Im not sure how much the government had a hand in Google.
blihp 7y ago
A breakup is highly unlikely IMO. Not only has the U.S. govt not been keen to break up monopolies in the last ~30 years, but it actually let AT&T reconstitute itself by re-acquiring most (all?) of the former baby Bells ~20 years after breaking them up. In addition, the current administration has taken an absolutely anti-regulation approach if you get/stay in their good graces. I suspect that something closer to a toothless consent decree with certain <cough> accommodations to the administration would make this all go away. Not saying it's right, just that it seems the most likely.
- cameronbrown 7y ago
  None of the tech companies are in the US administration's good graces right now if Trump is to be believed: https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1163478770587721729 https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/11634787705877217... Similar comments about most of the tech industry can also be found on his Twitter.
  - blihp 7y ago
    Right, my point exactly. Now given what we've already seen from this administration, imagine Alphabet/Google took the path of least resistance and gave the administration what they want. What is the likely outcome of the antitrust situation then?
- ptlu 7y ago
  These are states bringing g this issue. So it isn’t up to this particular administration in this case or even the DOJ.
  - blihp 7y ago
    Just because the States are kicking this off / working together doesn't mean that they will ultimately have jurisdiction over (most of) the charges they may want to pursue. Interstate commerce is an enumerated power in the Constitution so it may not be their call to make.

What is expected outcome of this? Can Google be expected to be broken up like Bell Corp?

by nafey 7y ago

What is expected outcome of this? Can Google be expected to be broken up like Bell Corp?

I think this would be good for everyone. But Bell corp was broken up not only for the monopoly but also because the government essentially created and subsequently funded the monopoly. At the time it was needed (arguably so) to create a reliable nationwide communication network, Im not sure how much the government had a hand in Google.

blihp 7y ago

A breakup is highly unlikely IMO. Not only has the U.S. govt not been keen to break up monopolies in the last ~30 years, but it actually let AT&T reconstitute itself by re-acquiring most (all?) of the former baby Bells ~20 years after breaking them up. In addition, the current administration has taken an absolutely anti-regulation approach if you get/stay in their good graces. I suspect that something closer to a toothless consent decree with certain <cough> accommodations to the administration would make this all go away. Not saying it's right, just that it seems the most likely.

cameronbrown 7y ago
None of the tech companies are in the US administration's good graces right now if Trump is to be believed: https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1163478770587721729 https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/11634787705877217... Similar comments about most of the tech industry can also be found on his Twitter.
- blihp 7y ago
  Right, my point exactly. Now given what we've already seen from this administration, imagine Alphabet/Google took the path of least resistance and gave the administration what they want. What is the likely outcome of the antitrust situation then?
ptlu 7y ago
These are states bringing g this issue. So it isn’t up to this particular administration in this case or even the DOJ.
- blihp 7y ago
  Just because the States are kicking this off / working together doesn't mean that they will ultimately have jurisdiction over (most of) the charges they may want to pursue. Interstate commerce is an enumerated power in the Constitution so it may not be their call to make.