Amazon is demanding that Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chair Lina Khan recuse herself from the agency’s review of the tech giant’s purchase of MGM Studios because of her previous public statements against the company. (TheWrap)
Amazon on Wednesday filed a motion requesting Khan’s recusal with the FTC. In the filing, the e-commerce company noted that Khan has made public comments about Amazon and its conduct, including that the company is “guilty of antitrust violations and should be broken up.” (Variety)
The move comes as the FTC is reviewing Amazon’s proposed $8.45 billion acquisition of movie studio MGM. The deal has been criticized by those worried about the growth of tech companies, but antitrust experts have said it will be difficult for regulators to stop. (Bloomberg)
In a letter addressed to Khan, senator Elizabeth Warren urged the FTC to specifically and closely examine “the possible anticompetitive effects this deal will have on streaming services and entertainment products in addition to the broader impacts that this transaction may have on workers, small businesses, and competition overall as Amazon—which already dominates numerous markets—accelerates its aggressive monopolistic behavior.” (The Verge)
