Local Tennessee officials need to regulate big tech and protect our small businesses | Opinion – Tennessean

Consumers recognize the negative impact Big Tech companies have on the main street shops and businesses that our country was built around.

Raul Lopez| Guest Columnist

Tennessee Voices: A conversation with Raul Lopez

Men of Valor Executive Director Raul Lopez spoke with Tennessean Opinion Editor David Plazas.

Nashville Tennessean

Americans have become increasingly concerned about the monopolistic tendencies of big tech companies. Many of these large tech firms have taken unobstructed action to control our search platforms, limit consumer choice and restrict third-party access to leading digital marketplaces.

Americans are beginning to take notice.

Recent polling by the Washington Post found that 72% of internet users do not trust Facebook to responsibly handle their personal information. Another poll found that 68% of American adults say major tech companies have too much power and influence in todays economy.

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One way to restore trust between big tech and the general public is for Congress to beef up our countrys anti-competition laws, consumer data regulations and the ability for tech companies to suppress information, dictate consumer spending and search habits.

Big Tech has deliberately maneuvered themselves into monopolistic positions. Their rise to the top has left many in their wake, including many of Americas small businesses and the everyday consumer. In addition, big tech and social media platforms regularly silence or de-platform voices they disagree withincluding conservatives and people of faith.

Thankfully a bipartisan coalition of voices in Congress have finally decided enough is enough. The American Innovation and Choice Online Act is now in front of lawmakers.

Tennessee's very own Senator Marsha Blackburn who serves on both the Judiciary Committee and the Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee has been a trusted advocate on addressing big tech overreach.

More: Marsha Blackburn: Whats the key to keeping kids safe online? Big Tech bipartisanship. | Opinion

If enacted, this bill would create a series of updated rules and enforcement mechanisms to effectively regulate big techs anti-competitive practices;like unfair personal preference for a platforms products or services and obvious discrimination against other businesses and products.

The hope is that these common-sense regulations would act as a deterrent to big techs monopolistic behavior while also allowing small businesses to gain back a portion of the market share that has been taken from them.

Americas small business community is made up of a diverse, driven and resilient population of citizens. Citizens have relied on the prospect of the American Dream to support their families and communities.

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Big Techs actions have had a direct impact on the opportunity and viability to achieve success as a small business ownerespecially within Latino and other minority communities.

It is also no secret to the American consumer that these corporations have harmed the opportunity for the small business community to thrive. Consumers recognize the negative impact big tech companies have on the main street shops and businesses that our country was built around.

Many rural and small towns that used to be the hub of American innovation and the entrepreneurial spirit now appear desolate, having suffered from anti-competitive practices and unfair treatment by big tech.

For the good of the American small business community, the American consumer, the livelihood of millions and for the continued prospect of the American dream, it is now more urgent than ever for our leaders in Congress to address the monopolistic tendencies and overreach of big tech. The rules and regulations that govern big tech must be rewritten to provide actual protections for consumers and business owners alike.

Raul Lopez is the executive director for Latinos for Tennessee, an organization committed to promoting faith, family, freedom and fiscal responsibility.

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Local Tennessee officials need to regulate big tech and protect our small businesses | Opinion - Tennessean