Privacy + Antitrust?

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), whose House Commerce Subcommittee is leading efforts to craft privacy legislation, raised the prospect of tackling concerns over competition and data protection at the same time. Asked about next steps on privacy legislation, Chairwoman Schakowsky said the question is where to limit the “scope” of a bill. “You can really get into a whole lot of things,” she said. “There’s talk about breaking up the big tech companies. Is that a part of this? Is that a separate [issue]? So I think figuring out a manageable terrain is going to be an issue.” Chairwoman Schakowsky said the op-ed by Facebook co-founder Hughes “raised important issues that we need to consider.” Inclusion of antitrust language would likely cripple the bill’s chances of garnering support from Republicans, who have long resisted the trust-busting rhetoric of some progressive lawmakers.