Antitrust Agency Turf War Over Big Tech Investigations

The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice have found themselves under the microscope as calls for antitrust investigations into “Big Tech” companies escalate.

The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice have found themselves under the microscope as calls for antitrust investigations into “Big Tech” companies escalate. The agencies, which share civil antitrust enforcement authority, are reportedly engaged in a turf war over investigations of companies operating in the social media, online retail, search engine and app store space. In September, FTC Chairman Joseph Simons reportedly sent a letter to Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim expressing concern about the agencies' interactions. Meanwhile, they both appear to be investigating the same Big Tech companies, contrary to a clearance agreement penned by the agencies in 2002 and, reportedly, a more recent agreement concerning Big Tech. What is causing this largely uncharacteristic