Major tech companies could be compromising the privacy of consumers and consumer demands. Facebook, Google, Amazon and Apple are facing serious accusations of antitrust behavior. Their platforms may have hurt competition and dismissed innovation for their own benefit.
Social media federal regulations were reportedly sidestepped, with significant social media legal risks being taken in the name of staying dominant. These digital platforms are not in social media compliance and harming consumers with such negative behavior.
Several presidential candidates are calling for the break up of these companies, many settling for stricter regulations. As a social media lawyer, my biggest concern is the abuse of user privacy that Facebook participated in to enhance its marketing capabilities. The global giant has been fined by the Federal Trade Commission and had limits imposed. Many were not happy that CEO Mark Zuckerberg was not punished for his company’s past behavior and instead was given a clean slate. Google is also facing consequences for the distasteful way it handled children’s information on YouTube, leaving many open to predators. Amazon is being accused of snuffing out independent vendors and businesses.
Antitrust usually deals with price gouging and stealing money from competitors. However, many of these services are free. The consumer may not have to pay, making monopoly claims harder to prove – even if Facebook did purchase Instagram and WhatsApp to ensure that their competition would be squashed.
While proving Facebook has a monopoly has been a challenge and a hot button issue for presidential candidates, it matters for the future of social media. If these platforms can no longer trade private user data, they will start charging users, throwing off marketing budgets and resulting in rules that may change every month.
As a social media attorney, I can tell you that Facebook’s antitrust accusation will lead to stricter regulations that will trickle down to consumers like yourself. A social media law firm like ours will be able to get your company into compliance, now and in the future. Let’s get started today!
