#BigTechOnBlast
On Wednesday, July 29, at 12pmET, Big Tech goes to Washington. And Kairos is putting them on Blast!
After a yearlong investigation, the Congressional Antitrust Subcommittee is holding a major hearing with Big Tech’s biggest CEOs: Tim Cook (Apple), Jeff Bezos (Amazon), Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook), and Sundar Pichai (Google).
First, it’s important to understand why these companies are being brought in front of Congress, why this is a big deal, and why it matters to Black and brown communities.
What is antitrust?
Antitrust means opposed to “trusts” or monopolies in business that threaten fair competition and harm consumers. When antitrust investigations happen, governments are trying to answer such questions as: Are these companies too big? Did they acquire a monopoly position? Did they get that way illegally? Without antitrust laws, one or a few big corporations could accumulate such great power that we have no choice but to buy or use whatever product or service they provide.
The first antitrust law, the Sherman Act, was passed in 1890. Antitrust laws started so that small businesses had the chance to enter the market and thrive against bigger companies. These laws also sought to protect consumers by making sure that companies couldn’t fix prices. The Federal Trade Commission was created in 1914 to enforce antitrust laws, but how and whether they’re enforced depends on who is in power in courts, other regulatory agencies, and the White House.
Antitrust is not just about Big Tech: Airlines, pharmaceuticals, oil, and other industries have also been the center of antitrust concerns.
What does antitrust have to do with Black and brown people?
When big corporations have monopoly power, communities of color inevitably suffer. For example, because Amazon owns 60% of internet cloud space, most websites and databases are connected to Amazon in some way — including ICE. In addition, through projects like Ring “security” cameras, Amazon is actively building a nationwide police surveillance network. Ring continues to gain market share, meaning Amazon profits off fear of Black and brown people.
Big Tech’s bad business turns racism and violence into political power as well as profits. They spend wealth extracted from our communities on lobbying and courting legislators to delay, deter, and design the regulations and reforms that would hold them accountable.
Why does this hearing matter?
Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google have a heavy hand in the economy, our democracy, and our government agencies. And this is one of the first times all four are being called on to testify about their business practices.
- Facebook confirmed 2016 election interference. This highlights the company’s major influence on its users.
- Through Cambridge Analytica, Facebook let the 2016 Trump campaign have access to the private data of some 50 million users.
- Facebook, along with Google, accounts for the majority of the online advertising market in the U.S.
- Google’s business practices are being investigated in all 50 states.
- Google, along with Facebook, accounts for 60% of the U.S. online advertising market.
- Google takes our data and uses it to make more money without explicit consent.
Amazon
- Amazon owns nearly half of the infrastructure where we keep data and host websites.
- Amazon steals data from independent sellers to develop its own products.
- Amazon is creating a nationwide surveillance network with over 1,000 local police departments.
Apple
- Apple collects a portion of subscriptions and other purchases from App Store applications.
- Apple also approves some apps over others unless creators agree to the (often high) percentage of revenue taken by Apple.
Join us to watch the hearing live and chat about how we’re taking on Big Tech.
Why should I watch?
The recent stream of corporate “commitments” to Black lives are too shallow to hide how these companies affect our communities. Along with what we’ve already explained, they attack Black workers demanding safe working conditions during a pandemic. They also provide platforms for white supremacists to spread their ideology online, resulting, as we continue to see, in violence against our people and communities both online and offline.
Activists have been working hard over the past couple of years to hold Big Tech accountable for the role it plays in our lives, our economy, and our government. This is our chance to let Congress and Big Tech know we are watching and we won’t stop organizing until they stop exploiting our communities.
RSVP to watch with us on Wednesday, July 29 at 12pmET, and hear from our friends at MediaJustice, MPower Change, and Free Press. During the watch party you will:
- Learn what coalitions like #AthenaForAll, #ChangetheTerms and #TechIsNotNeutral are doing to build power and force Big Tech CEOs to be accountable to our communities.
- Jump into the conversation with the organizers and advocates leading the fight.
- Find new ways to take action as we mend what Big Tech has broken, show them our power, and stop them once and for all from exploiting and destroying our communities.
RSVP or sign up to stay informed today: https://techisnotneutral.com/bigtechonblast/
