Big Tech Confronting ‘Range’ of Possible State Antitrust Action

(Bloomberg) -- A group of states said they’re considering a “range” of antitrust actions against big technology firms after meeting with Attorney General William Barr, whose Justice Department this week said it is reviewing whether the companies are harming competition.

The office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Thursday that a bipartisan group of eight state attorneys general spoke with Barr about “the real concerns consumers across the country have with big tech companies stifling competition on the internet.”

“It was a productive meeting and we’re considering a range of possible antitrust actions against such companies,” according to the statement from Paxton’s office.

States are advancing a broad inquiry into whether technology platforms are violating antitrust and consumer protection statutes. Their effort comes on top of investigations by federal antitrust enforcers. The Justice Department this week announced a broad review into whether tech companies are using their power to thwart competition.

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Ryan Anderson, a spokesman for Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, said states “are weighing all of their available options and considering possible independent courses of action.”

The Justice Department didn’t respond to a request for comment. The states’ meeting with Barr was reported earlier by Politico.

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