Klobuchar targets Big Tech with biggest antitrust overhaul in 45 years

Sadly it is already too late. The tech industry today = a handful of $1T+ conglomerates. Everything else – startups, independent developers, open source – exists 100% at the mercy of their whims. I don't believe acquisitions are a requirement now either. Just remove any potential disruptions from your app store, search result or hosting platform, and problem solved.

And despite that, I have zero confidence that the government will be able to (or even wants to) do the correct thing. The battle still hasn't moved beyond "does this platform help or hurt our reelection chances".

HN is understandably focused on the tech industry implications, but this bill actually doesn't single out tech companies in particular. It applies broadly to all industries, which I think holds bigger impact.

Monopolistic power is not just wielded by monopolies, but by duopolies or companies colluding cartel-like. I'd very much look forward to greater scrutiny applied to industries like: - Tax preparation (duopoly of Intuit and HR&Block) - Dating apps (near monopoly by Match Group) - Eyewear (near monopoly by Luxottica) - Poultry (near monopoly by Perdue Farms) ...

My knee-jerk reaction is this doesn’t seem like a great idea. I’m pretty sure Android would never have gotten so big without Google’s cash infusion, and even so they depended on Microsoft, Blackberry, and Nokia’s missteps leaving such a big gap in the market.

Success for startups is never certain. I’m not sure that removing exits would make success more certain. Not everybody has the luck and determination to go alone. FAANG were uncertain startups not that long ago.

This is the main reason I sold my Facebook shares about a year ago. It's clear that FB will not be able to repeat their Instagram trick in future

Unnecessary let the industries work themselves out. Stick to protecting workers and providing healthcare.