Public Engagement and Big Tech Oversight
FTC Chair Lina Khan has marked her term with a notable shift in strategy- makes a take on Big Tech through public engagement. Unlike her predecessors, Khan has been vocal with the media about enforcing antitrust laws and protecting consumers, keeping tech giants like Google and Microsoft under scrutiny.
FTC’s David vs. Goliath
Despite its modest size of 1,300 employees and an annual budget of $400 million, the FTC juggles roughly 150 cases at any given time. This small but mighty agency faces the challenge of investigating companies whose resources vastly overshadow its own.
Silicon Valley and Startup Dynamics
Khan believes there’s a lack of transparency in Silicon Valley regarding access to essential resources like computing power and AI models. She emphasizes that while acquisitions are common exit strategies for startups, they shouldn’t reinforce monopolies or eliminate competitive threats. A diverse range of potential buyers is healthier for the market than a monopoly.
In summary, as Khan’s term nears its end, her legacy will likely be defined by her proactive stance against Big Tech’s dominance and her efforts to maintain fair competition in an ever-growing digital economy.
