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Amid a wave of major antitrust cases in the U.S., human rights advocates are urging that they be seen not only as a fight for fair competition, but also as an opportunity to reshape the digital environment in favor of users. This is highlighted in a new publication by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF).
Over the past year, three court victories have been won against Google/Alphabet — covering search, advertising, and mobile payments. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) vs. Meta case also began, a trial that could impact the entire social media market.
Today, antitrust disputes concern not only prices and competition but the very architecture of "digital power." As EFF notes, the core question is who will control the internet's future and what rights users will retain.
In the FTC v. Meta case, regulators argue that Meta acquired Instagram and WhatsApp to eliminate potential competitors and dominate the personal social networking sphere. This issue touches not just the economy, but the basic ability for free communication.
If the FTC succeeds, Meta could be broken up, creating conditions for new platforms with different moderation policies, less algorithmic dependence, and real competition in privacy and freedom of expression.
EFF emphasizes that the emergence of alternatives is not an end in itself but a way to break free from a corporate model of content control that often disregards user interests in favor of shareholders.
The fight is not limited to government agencies. Major companies are also challenging Big Tech's dominance. In the case of Epic Games v. Google, the debate centers on opening Android to third-party app stores. Google calls this a "security threat."
EFF counters that such arguments are part of a "feudal security" model where users are left dependent on monopolists without meaningful choice.
True security, EFF notes, is not about imposed restrictions but about enabling users to make informed decisions based on independent assessments of protection.
Google effectively shields users from external threats but does little to protect them from its own tracking. Android still lacks a comprehensive mechanism for limiting Google apps' data collection.
According to EFF, competition is key to making Big Tech companies revisit their privacy policies.
EFF concludes that these lawsuits are not just legal battles but a real opportunity to return control of the internet to the people. In a free market, rights protection should not rely on corporate goodwill but should be reinforced by the structure of the market itself.
(Translation performed automatically)
