Joe Biden hints at antitrust opinion, likely to hire an advocate for tech firm breakups: Reports

US President Joe Biden, on Tuesday, has put an advocate in the pipeline, who will be responsible for keeping big tech firms in line and for potential breaking up of such organisations, according to media reports. 

A prominent law professor at Columbia University, Lina Khan, who has strong suggestions about tech giants being broken up with the help of antitrust laws, is likely to be given the reigns of the Federal Trade Commission, which possesses certain control over corporate mergers, reported AFP. 

According to the reports, an economic advisory position at the White House will be allotted to Tim Wu, a fellow critic of big tech organisations. 

Also Read: Joe Biden targets two Iranian officials in first new sanctions

US authorities have not formally announced the appointment of Khan, however, prominent media sources like Washington Post, Politico and Wall Street Journal claimed that her appointment was in the pipeline, reported AFP. 

The 32-year-old has previously worked in close collaboration with the US House of Representatives on similar initiatives which aimed to split big tech companies in the US.  

Khan also published a paper titled “Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox” which aimed at highlighting the growing monopoly established by the e-commerce giant. 

The news comes amid a growing backlash against tech behemoths which have dominated key economic sectors and seen their influence grow during the coronavirus pandemic.

Also Read: Joe Biden nominates two women generals to lead military commands

Aurelien Portuese of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a think tank that often reflects the views of the sector, expressed concern about the reports, reported AFP. 

Portuese explained in a statement, “Together with Tim Wu, who has recently been appointed to serve as the White House’s adviser on competition and technology policy, Lina Khan has been instrumental in bringing a populist view of antitrust to mainstream media and the general public.”

He added, “Her influence gained momentum when she helped write the House Antitrust Subcommittee report on big tech companies. Khan’s antitrust populism threatens to derail traditional enforcement of antitrust laws as an engine for enhancing consumer benefits and spurring innovation.”