Big Tech and Antitrust

The debate over “Big Tech” and antitrust has intensified. On one side are those who consider certain Big Tech companies monopiles that reduce competition and exploit their users’ data. On the other side are those who believe that competition in the technology market is flourishing, particularly when considering a worldwide market, and that Big Tech empowers its consumers; after all, many users never pay financially for social media use. In addition to these economic considerations, Big Tech has raised a host of social and political concerns over speech, democracy, and power. Is Big Tech suppressing speech? Should it suppress more speech? Does it even matter if private companies “suppress speech”? Does Big Tech have too much control over our elections or none at all? What power does Big Tech wield over our lives if any? Come hear the views of antitrust experts as they discuss these issues and more.

Speakers: 

• Prof. Richard A. Epstein, Law Professor & Director of the Classical Liberal Institute, New York University, Law Professor, University of Chicago & Peter and Kirstin Bedford Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution (Moderator)
• Jessica Melugin, Director of the Center for Technology & Innovation, Competitive Enterprise Institute
• Asheesh Agarwal, Deputy General Counsel and Internet Policy Counsel, TechFreedom
• Dr. Hal Singer, Senior Fellow at the George Washington Institute of Public Policy and Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University, McDonough School of Business