Big Tech Gets the Regulatory Shakedown

Regulators are increasingly targeting big tech, with Amazon facing FTC scrutiny over advertising surcharges and potential antitrust violations regarding pricing on competing platforms. While Amazon defends its practices, internal documentation suggests the company’s ad pricing may deviate from competitive market standards. Simultaneously, Meta’s $17 billion settlement regarding child safety on social media mirrors the historical trajectory of Big Tobacco, raising questions about whether cultural shifts and stricter regulations will fundamentally diminish the long-term influence of social media platforms. Meanwhile, Apple enters a new era under CEO John Ternus, who faces the challenge of maintaining the company's complex supply chain while proving that its capital-light, on-device artificial intelligence strategy can sustain its market dominance against competitors heavily investing in massive infrastructure.