Google,
Apple, Facebook, and Amazon are famously known as the big four – the most
powerful forces in the tech world. What happens when one assumes so much power?
Investigations and mistrust!

This
week a remarkable (and much needed) event is going to take place that will add
more steam to a conversation that’s been fuming for the last two years or so.
Representatives of the big four will be investigated and questioned on
significant concerns like antitrust violations.

But
why is it happening? Well honestly, it’s an extremely important conversation to
have because lawmakers are currently trying to make sense of all the strategies
that are being optimized by these companies. There are allegations raised from
the small fishes in the sea that the big four use anticompetitive business
practices that are structured to stifle the smaller competitors – allowing them
to keep a monopoly of the market.

What
are antitrust laws? They have a rich and even bloody history in the US market
as mega-corporations often use them to benefit and profit large chunks of
finances, making them super powerful.

Hence,
you can expect to see Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, and Sundar Pichai
to be in attendance – mostly virtually. Furthermore, Jack Dorsey has also been
asked to attend the meeting, however, it is unclear whether or not he will accept
the invitation. But considering the hacking that took place on July 15^th,
it’s possible that he would show up.

If
you think that they’ll be investigated on the same matter then you’re
misguided. Hence, they may be attending the investigation at the same time, but
they’ll be probed regarding different accusations.

For
example, Google will be investigated regarding its strong grip on the ad and
search market and Facebook will be about the acquisitions it has made in the
last couple of years of its so-called competitors like WhatsApp and Instagram.
Apple will be in the spotlight because it is known for giving its own apps a
special treatment in its App Store and Amazon will have to clarify why it
promotes its own brands over third party sellers.

So,
all these CEOs of the most powerful tech companies or leaders of the world’s top platforms will be grilled over spate but overlapping topics. So far it’s
unclear whether these people will be asked questions in turns or if it’s will
be an unorganized method.

If
you think that this is the first time a high-profile investigation has occurred
then you need to brush up your memory slightly. Back in the 90s when Microsoft
was gaining raging momentum, it was also asked to show itself in the court and
give answers regarding antitrust policies.

This
hearing is bound to go down in history as a first because it’s the first time
we’ll get to witness the big four in one frame. You can watch this hearing on
YouTube.