New Research: Amazon’s Monopoly Tollbooth in 2023

Date: 21 Sep 2023 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The steep and rapidly growing fees Amazon extracts from the businesses that have little choice but to rely on its site to reach customers are a striking measure of its monopoly power. These exorbitant fees are crushing many sellers, raising consumer prices, and funding Amazon’s expanding empire.… Read More

Amazon’s Tight Grip on Cloud Computing Poses Multiple Threats. ILSR Urges FTC Action.

Date: 29 Jun 2023 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, ILSR warned that control over cloud computing, the backbone of the modern economy, is dangerously concentrated. Amazon Web Services (AWS), which controls more than 40 percent of global cloud infrastructure, has exploited its position to lock-in customers, shut out rivals, and reap unfair advantages in its other non-cloud business lines. ILSR urges the FTC to use its authorities to open the market to needed competition.… Read More

Fact Sheet: Credit Card Swipe Fees — A Hidden Monopoly Tax on Small Businesses and Shoppers

Date: 20 Jun 2023 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Our new fact sheet explains how credit card monopolies and banks are imposing swipe fees — what is essentially a monopoly tax — to rake in profit at the expense of small business and consumers. Congress must take action. … Read More

StarTribune: Utility Lobbying Violates Ratepayers’ Free Speech

Date: 23 Mar 2023 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, Media Coverage | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In this commentary from the Minneapolis StarTribune, John Farrell makes a case against monopoly utilities using customer funds for political lobbying. Compelling captive customers to pay for political speech is a violation of their first amendment right, says Farrell.… Read More

Minnesota Joins the Fight Against Monopoly Power

Date: 8 Feb 2023 | posted in: Retail | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Lawmakers in Minnesota will have the opportunity this legislative session to put the state at the forefront of a growing national movement to improve and strengthen laws to constrain monopoly abuses against workers, independent businesses, and communities.… Read More

Feds Should Collect Better Data for Fairer Markets and Energy Justice

Date: 21 Dec 2022 | posted in: Energy, Energy Self Reliant States | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Today the Institute for Local Self-Reliance was joined by joined by 24 utility justice, consumer advocate, and environmental organizations in submitting comments urging the Energy Information Administration to incorporate interconnection and utility shutoffs data.… Read More

Study: Low Income LA County Neighborhoods Pay More for Internet Service Than Wealthier Neighborhoods

Date: 19 Oct 2022 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

A new study from the Digital Equity LA initiative lays bare how low-income communities of color are impacted by the quiet business decisions of the county’s monopoly Internet service provider…… Read More

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