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- Reports in recent days suggest that the wheels are turning on blockbuster antitrust investigations into Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google.
- The Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice have apparently carved up which of the big tech companies they would examine, should they begin antitrust proceedings.
- If investigations are launched, it could transform the big tech landscape, potentially resulting in seismic breakups or giant fines.
- Read on to find out what antitrust proceedings could look like for the FAANG companies, and which Trump administration body will take the lead on the investigations.
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The wheels are turning on potentially blockbuster US antitrust investigations into big tech.
Reports in recent days suggest that Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google could all face scrutiny after the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice carved up which of the big tech companies they would examine.
It follows US President Donald Trump saying last year that the firms could be "very antitrust," while appetite among Republicans and Democrats has increased for greater oversight of the tech monoliths.
Politicians on both sides have been ramping up their rhetoric. Elizabeth Warren has made breaking up big tech the rallying cry of her presidential candidacy campaign, and Republican lawmakers have laid into the Silicon Valley elite for perceived anti-conservative bias.
Add this to the fact that some of the companies have already received antitrust fines in the EU - not to mention ongoing complaints and investigations - and it looks like big tech could be headed for turbulence.
There is little detail about the substance of the investigations, but read on to find out what antitrust proceedings could look like for Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google companies, and which Trump administration body will take the lead on the probes.