“I think it’s probably safe to say more than a dozen. A couple of dozen state attorneys general have expressed an interest in the subject matter,” he told reporters at the Tech Policy Institute conference in Colorado.
He added that the DOJ wants to work with state AGs on the investigation because it is beneficial for all parties.
In July, the DOJ’s Antirust Division launched a broad investigation into big tech companies such as Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google. The department said its inquiry “will consider the widespread concerns that consumers, businesses, and entrepreneurs have expressed about search, social media, and some retail services online.”
At the time, Makan said, “Without the discipline of meaningful market-based competition, digital platforms may act in ways that are not responsive to consumer demands. The Department’s antitrust review will explore these important issues.”
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has an ongoing investigation into Facebook for possible anti-competitive behaviors. The FTC will probably complete its investigation into the social media giant next year, according to the regulator’s Chairman Joe Simons.
