FTC Urged to Block Big Tech From 'Monopolizing' Auto Industry

The FTC has an obligation to prevent the tech industry from “monopolizing” the auto industry and abusing data associated with cars, Fight for the Future said in a petition filed Wednesday. Companies like Google, Amazon, Apple and Facebook have a history of abusing data, and the industry is using its dominance to “coerce auto companies to incorporate their services” like Google Maps, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa Voice Assistant and Apple CarPlay, the petition said. “To protect consumer privacy and market competition, the FTC should revive structural separations as a policy tool to prevent the concentration of private power and the control of vital industries in the hands of a few tech executives,” the organization said. The agency declined comment.