“The problems that beset journalism today are caused in part by a fundamental lack of competition in the search and ad tech markets that are controlled by Google,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith in his written testimony to the House antitrust subcommittee.
“This is not to make a statement about whether Google has acted unlawfully,” Smith continued. “But as we learned first-hand from Microsoft’s own experience two decades ago, when a company’s success creates side effects that adversely impact a market and our society, the problem should not be ignored. And this typically requires government action.”
The concerns that gave rise to the Australian law are now being echoed around the world, including in the halls of Congress.
On Friday, Microsoft endorsed a bill led by Rep. David Cicilline that would give news publishers an antitrust waiver so that they may negotiate for revenue collectively against tech giants.
Microsoft itself would likely be subject to the law, Smith noted, but he said the tech industry has an obligation to do more to support quality journalism.