New FTC chair wants to look at market power of big Internet companies

FILE PHOTO: A 3D-printed Facebook like button is seen in front of the Facebook logo, in this illustration taken October 25, 2017. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Joseph Simons, the new chairman of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), said on June 20 that the agency would keep a close eye on big tech companies that dominate the internet.

Simons said the power of the big tech platforms – none of which he cited by name – raised new questions about competition and privacy. “It makes it very appropriate for it to be the subject of hearings and for us to get input on that,” he said at a question session with reporters.