The White House reported that President Joe Biden will sign a new executive order that will launch a statewide effort to promote competition in the U.S. economy.
The order targets anti-competitive practices across all sectors, including technology and internet services.
The order consists of 72 proposals and measures, among which it states explicitly: “The President encourages the FCC to restore Net Neutrality rules undone by the prior administration.”
It also called on the agency to consider limiting early termination fees and preventing internet providers from entering into agreements with landlords that restrict tenants’ choices.
It urged the FCC to revive the Broadband Nutrition Label developed under the Obama administration to provide greater price transparency.
The order also looked at how “dominant tech firms are undermining competition and reducing innovation,” including an administrative policy that scrutinizes mergers.
It would focus on “dominant internet platforms,” in particular “the acquisition of emerging competitors, serial mergers, the accumulation of data, competition by ‘free’ products and the effect on user privacy.”
As part of its crackdown on Big Tech, the order called on the Federal Trade Commission to help establish surveillance and data accumulation policies.
The FTC will also assist with banning “unfair methods of competition on internet marketplaces” and “anti-competitive restrictions on using independent repair shops or doing DIY repairs of your own devices and equipment.”
The order also required a more robust merger review in other sectors, such as banking and personal finance.
It also called on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to “issue rules allowing customers to download their banking data and take it with them.”
Similar announcements of price transparency, consumer rights, increased scrutiny of mergers and the prevention of excessive charges were widespread in all other sectors covered.
For more information, read the original story in Endgadget.