Can we still trust competition to fix the market? Or are the referees in this game no longer neutral?In this episode, Aparna and Harinda break down how the antitrust debate has outgrown its legal framework. The original standard—“consumer harm”—no longer holds up in an era where platforms shape geopolitics, markets, and democratic systems without raising prices.

We explore:

• Why antitrust theory hasn’t caught up to the realities of tech power

• How companies like Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Google now influence not just markets—but foreign policy, culture, and infrastructure

• Where scale drives innovation… and where it kills it

• Why regulation battles are now fought in Brussels, London, and Washington

• And why startups and even some public companies are quietly not cheering for more enforcement

00:00 Introduction to the Digital Economy and Apple's Role02:28 The Impact of Apple's In-App Purchase System03:38 Mark Zuckerberg's Disruption in Advertising05:51 Meta's Privacy Policy Changes and AI Training08:37 The Epic vs. Apple Case: Background and Implications10:06 Judge's Response and Antitrust Concerns12:03 Historical Context of Antitrust Cases14:31 Google's Dominance and Antitrust Issues16:43 The Future of Tech Companies and Antitrust Legislation20:57 The Fine Line of Growth and Responsibility22:11 Antitrust Laws: A Confusing Landscape23:30 Regulatory Challenges and Corporate Accountability25:42 Geopolitics and Antitrust: A Global Perspective27:13 User Implications of Antitrust Decisions28:55 Antitrust as a Geopolitical Tool31:15 The Role of Tech Giants in Global Politics33:55 Ethics and Market Implications of Antitrust37:25 The Evolution of Antitrust in the Age of AI

📚 This week's reference links:

• Aparna’s pick: Rest of World - AI, Labor, and African Data Workers

• Harinda’s pick: Vatican’s AI Reflection - Antiqua et Nova

💬 Hosts on LinkedIn:
Aparna Bhushan
Harinda Katugaha
Learn more: rethinkingtech.co