The head of the antitrust division at the U.S. Department of Justice, Gail Slater, has submitted her resignation. Her departure comes as the agency pursues major cases against tech giants. The DOJ claims it will stay the course in its investigations, but the exit of the person leading these actions raises doubts about the continuity and momentum of competition policy in the current administration.
The Impact on Tech Development and Standards Cases ⚙️
Slater oversaw complex technical investigations, such as the lawsuit against Google for alleged anticompetitive practices in search and online advertising. These investigations require a deep analysis of algorithms, software licensing agreements, and control of development ecosystems. The leadership transition could affect timelines and legal strategy in cases seeking to change how big platforms manage access to APIs and standards, key elements for developers and competitors.
A Position That Seems to Have More Turnover Than an Intern 🔄
The antitrust chief's chair at the DOJ seems equipped with an ejector seat. Just when the case against a big tech company starts heating up, the occupant disappears. One almost expects the next appointment to be by subscription, to save time on paperwork. Meanwhile, the lawyers for the investigated companies probably toast to the continuity... of this curious administrative tradition.