State attorneys general will launch one of the largest bipartisan, multi-state antitrust investigations into Facebook and Google on Monday.
State attorneys general spanning across dozens of states will announce an antitrust investigation into Google and Facebook, and other technology companies at the Supreme Court at 2:00 p.m. ET Monday.
The investigation will investigate whether America’s largest technology companies have stifled competition, restricted access, and harmed consumers.
A Wall Street Journal report suggested that New York Attorney General Letitia James will lead the investigation into Facebook, while Texas Attorney General Attorneys Ken Paxton will lead the investigation into Google.
James said in a statement to the Wall Street Journal:
I am proud to be leading a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in investigating whether Facebook has stifled competition and put users at risk. We will use every investigative tool at our disposal to determine whether Facebook’s actions may have endangered consumer data, reduced the quality of consumers’ choices, or increased the price of advertising.
Several state attorneys general also plan to announce their Google antitrust probe next Monday, with approximately three dozen state attorneys general. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will reportedly lead the Google investigation, which will focus on Google’s advertising markets and whether Google’s dominance in the ad markets harms competition.
The Journal‘s report follows an exclusive Breitbart News interview with Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, who said that many state attorneys generals have “had enough” of big tech, and they will “take action” after significant investigation.
“You know I would tell you that if everybody thinks it’s just saber-rattling, then they’re wrong,” Landry told Breitbart News. “At some point in time we believe when there’s smoke there’s fire, and at a time when we are able to gather evidence, we’re going to take action.”
”I was proud to launch the first antitrust and privacy investigation of Big Tech by an attorney general two years ago. I’m heartened to see a new group of attorneys general with the courage to stand up to these powerful companies and fight for citizens,” Sen. Hawley said in a statement Friday. “Big Tech companies should be held accountable if they are violating our privacy or harming our children or killing innovation.”
Sean Moran is a congressional reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter @SeanMoran3.