PopSockets, Tile and Other Companies Will Ask Congress To Help Stop Big Tech Bullying

The two companies, along with Sonos and Basecamp, are set to testify at an antitrust hearing Friday that Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google threaten their businesses. From a report: David Barnett is an unlikely warrior in the battle against big tech. The founder and chief executive of PopSockets, a Colorado company that makes a widely popular kickstand-of-sorts for smartphones, says he isn't even an "expert on antitrust laws" in Washington. But Barnett discovered firsthand the rare power and influence of Amazon in 2018, after clashing with the e-commerce giant over policies that made it hard to sell his products on his preferred terms and prices. PopSockets soon terminated its ties with Amazon, which helped lead to sizable losses later as a result. "What company that started a business out of their garage can afford to lose $10 million?" he asked in an interview. "We're lucky we're in a position we're profitable and could take a stand."

Barnett's story could resonate with federal regulators: Such tales of big tech's debatably brash, bullying tactics are set to take center stage when he and his corporate peers testify at a high-profile congressional hearing Friday. The session could elicit the most convincing, public evidence to date that Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Google have become too big and powerful -- and need to be restrained. [...] Along with PopSockets, lawmakers are set to hear from top executives at Sonos, a high-end audio company, and Basecamp, which makes collaborative workplace software. Both allege Google undermines smaller rivals. Sonos has sued Google, alleging patent infringement as well.

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