A new report shows leaked internal documents from Google and Amazon -- shedding light on how the companies favor their own products over competitors. The documents were leaked to Politico from the House Judiciary Committee -- adding more ammunition to the push for congress to crack down on some big tech companies. Josh Sisco wrote the story for Politico, where he's an antitrust reporter. He joined Cheddar News to discuss. 

Opening Bell

New Internal Documents Show Tech Giants Pushing Out Competitors

josh. Cisco wrote the story for politico where he's an antitrust reporter, josh. Thanks for joining us. What new information was revealed in these documents from google and amazon and how does it support the push for Congress to toughen antitrust laws? Hi there. Thanks so much for having me on. So it's kind of more evidence to support what they've been saying for the last few years that all for five major tech companies Google Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Microsoft are, are favoring their own services, you know, on their platforms, over the competitors that also rely on those platforms to distribute their products. So it's just kind of more documentation showing that. And it kind of comes at a time when there's this big push for legislation. But for example, there's evidence now that amazon in order to get preferential sales treatment. Um, it helps to use more of their logistic services fulfilled by amazon and other, the more, the more you use for with amazon, the better treatment you get as one example. Yeah. And it's not that surprising if you've been following some of these major companies in big tech that have been grilled on capitol hill that this would be the sentiment. But how does this report provides more fuel to this issue? Is there any indication that this will actually motivate lawmakers to regulate these companies and take more action? Um, it's hard to say what will motivate lawmakers to take to take more action. But I do think you can't ignore the timing of of some of these of this document leak. And it also includes facebook, there was a report um, also about a previously confidential facebook document that sort of described how it viewed competition with between its own apps and other companies like Tiktok and etcetera. And so I think it's kind of, you can't really ignore these documents if you're trying to push for legislation, but as far as what will, whether it will bring about any action is sort of hard to say. And on the opposite side, if we do continue to see some movement in this arena, potentially more legislation against antitrust within this space. Do you think what is the likelihood these tech giants actually comply with tighter antitrust regulations, especially here in the U. S. Do you think they push back on new legislation or potentially find loopholes around it? I mean, I think they'll always look for loopholes. I imagine if any bills are passed, whether it's the nondiscrimination bill, a similar bill that's more narrow relating to mobile app stores or anything else. I imagine there'll be litigation. Companies will challenge it, try to get an injunction to keep it from taking a taking effect until they litigate. Um, that's probably an uphill battle for the companies. I think once it is finally in place and everything is settled, we'll have no choice to comply. I mean, they've the companies have said as much about regulation in europe that if it happens it happens and they'll follow the law, but I think they will fight tooth and nail to keep it from happening. They already have and there was lobbying disclosures last night that so they've spent tens of millions of dollars in the last quarter, You mentioned europe, and they've really lead on cracking down on big tech with regulation and other laws. Are there regulations implemented there that you think we may replicate here in the US? The general principle is kind of the same. I mean, these companies can't favor their own services over those of competitors. So I think that kind of the tone and direction is the same. I mean, europe has moved more quickly and we'll see if if the U. S. Follows. Okay, josh Cisco. Um I have one more question before we let you go if congress manages to pass pending antitrust legislation. What effect do you think this has? Not only on these big tech companies, but just the broader tech sector in our economy? I mean, I think it's I don't think it's going to kill the tech sector. I don't think it's going to kill the the products that are so widely used. Think, I mean, there is a real chance that it could lead to more consumer choice and more options for folks to use. Alright, josh, Cisco, antitrust reporter for politico really appreciate your perspective on this story