{"id":438170,"date":"2022-04-27T13:03:43","date_gmt":"2022-04-27T10:03:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/small-businesses-defend-google-amazon-in-odd-letters-to-editors\/"},"modified":"2022-04-27T13:03:43","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T10:03:43","slug":"small-businesses-defend-google-amazon-in-odd-letters-to-editors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/small-businesses-defend-google-amazon-in-odd-letters-to-editors\/","title":{"rendered":"#Small businesses defend Google, Amazon in odd letters to editors"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a34057746b9b\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a34057746b9b\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/small-businesses-defend-google-amazon-in-odd-letters-to-editors\/#%E2%80%9CSmall_businesses_defend_Google_Amazon_in_odd_letters_to_editors%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;Small businesses defend Google, Amazon in odd letters to editors&#8221;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CSmall_businesses_defend_Google_Amazon_in_odd_letters_to_editors%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;Small businesses defend Google, Amazon in odd letters to editors&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>As Capitol Hill seeks to rein in Big Tech, a slew of local business owners are slamming the proposed antitrust legislation in letters to the editors of local <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>papers across the US \u2014 and they <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ear to be working off talking points that are strikingly similar to each other.<\/p>\n<p>At least a half-dozen pieces bashing bipartisan legislation known as the \u201cAmerican Innovation and Choice Online Act\u201d \u2014 which would ban platforms from giving their own products a leg up in search results \u2014 have cropped up in small publications in states from <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/loudounnow.com\/2022\/03\/25\/letter-zach-cummings-leesburg\/\">Virginia <\/a>to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.arkansasonline.com\/news\/2022\/apr\/13\/letters\/\">Arkansas <\/a>to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riverdalepress.com\/stories\/new-bill-could-hurt-small-biz,78269?\">New York<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Samuel Pacheco, who runs AI\u00a0Rides, a personal electric vehicle repair service in the Bronx, was laser focused on attacking antitrust legislation in his letters published by different Bronx newspapers \u2014 <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.riverdalepress.com\/stories\/new-bill-could-hurt-small-biz,78269?\">the Riverdale Press<\/a> and <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bxtimes.com\/letter-new-bill-could-hurt-small-businesses\/\">the Bronx Times.<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>\u201cPassing the American Choice and Innovation Online Act in Congress will work against everything I\u2019ve been working hard to build,\u201d Pacheco wrote in both letters, adding that he receives countless customers from Google. <\/p>\n<p>Reached by The Post, Pacheco conceded he had seen a template for how to write the letter and had also seen an example letter someone else wrote \u2014 but noted the language was entirely his own. He said he did not receive money for the piece and chose to write it because he \u201caligned\u201d with the purpose. <\/p>\n<p>Asked whether he had written other letters to the editor, Pacheco said he \u201cdidn\u2019t remember.\u201d When asked who had roped him into writing the articles, he said a \u201cfriend\u201d but demurred to share the identify of the friend or whether that person was affiliated with a tech company.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n    <\/aside>\n<p>The letters are particularly concentrated in Delaware, where President Biden happens to spend many weekends and is known to <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.politico.com\/newsletters\/west-wing-playbook\/2021\/05\/14\/the-worlds-most-powerful-local-paper-492861\">pore over<\/a> local papers. In fact, three letters about the legislation appeared in local Delaware publications on April 12.<\/p>\n<p>The letters follow the same mold: A small business owner adversely impacted by the pandemic frets the impending antitrust legislation will \u201cdisrupt\u201d access to \u201cdigital tools\u201d that are \u201ccritical\u201d for the future of their company.<\/p>\n<p>Jami Jackson, who owns gingham+grace, wrote in a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.capegazette.com\/article\/american-innovation-and-choice-online-act-will-hurt-small-business\/236699\">Cape Gazette<\/a> letter that the legislation will \u201cdisrupt access to those digital tools at a perilous time in our economic recovery when public health restrictions may resurface\u2026 could disrupt <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Facebook<\/a> Live, which is critical to my business.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Stephanie Preece, who runs exercise class Ignite Fitness Kickboxing, wrote to<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/baytobaynews.com\/delaware\/stories\/letter-to-the-editor-online-act-would-be-bad-for-business,75982\"> Bay to Bay News<\/a>, \u201cEven though these tech services have proven to be of critical importance to small businesses across the country, Congress is attempting to implement the AICOA, which could disrupt access to the digital tools at a time in our economic recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Yet <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.capegazette.com\/article\/american-innovation-and-choice-online-act-bad-business\/238109\">another item in Cape Gazette<\/a> by Nicole Bailey Ashton, who runs swimming pool construction company Ashton Pools \u2014 argued \u201cit is important to ensure that businesses have continued access to the digital tools critical to their operations\u2026. the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (S. 2992\/HR 3816)\u2026 will disrupt access to those digital tools at a perilous time in our economic recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Contacted by The Post on Tuesday, a representative for Ashton said \u201cNot interested. Thanks.\u201d when asked for comment.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/Senator-Amy-Klobuchar-1.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"amy klobuchar\" class=\"wp-image-22028998\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/Senator-Amy-Klobuchar-1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/Senator-Amy-Klobuchar-1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/Senator-Amy-Klobuchar-1.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Sen. Klobuchar is sponsoring a bill that will crack down on big tech.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Jackson and Preece did not immediately respond to requests for comment. <\/p>\n<p>Sources in the antitrust space told The Post this is a classic example of companies trying to wage astroturf wars \u2014 and Big Tech once again is following a well-worn but often ineffective playbook. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a tactic tech companies use time and time again but these letters have no real impact on the policy debate,\u201d Garrett Ventry, Congressman Ken Buck\u2019s former chief of staff told The Post. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n    <\/aside>\n<p>\u201cBig tech companies have no actual base \u2014 no one organically supports them. If you\u2019re defending them you are likely taking funding from them,\u201d Ventry adds. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019re stepping on their own toes: It\u2019s either clumsy or they\u2019re just hammering home key message points they\u2019ve tested with research firms,\u201d another antitrust insider adds. \u201cIt suggests this is not a well-coordinated effort; they\u2019re using a blunt instrument approach to show the level of opposition which they\u2019re just manufacturing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last month, reports surfaced Facebook parent company Meta has retained a lobbying firm to sully TikTok\u2019s reputation for its ties to China.<\/p>\n<p>The group helped place op-eds and letters to the editor in local papers like the Denver Post and Des Moines Register, raising concerns about China \u201cdeliberately collecting behavioral data on our kids,\u201d according to the report.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Meta, Amazon and Google did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether they were involved with the letters opposing the American Innovation and Choice Online Act. Apple declined to comment.<\/p>\n<p>Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook have both personally lobbied against the bill. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/Senator-Chuck-Grassley.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"grassley\" class=\"wp-image-22029079\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/Senator-Chuck-Grassley.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/Senator-Chuck-Grassley.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/Senator-Chuck-Grassley.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Sen. Grassley is a co-sponsor of a bill cracking down on tech companies.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The American Innovation and Choice Online Act \u2014 the bill in question \u2014 appears to be Congress\u2019s most likely shot at achieving antitrust reform. The bill, which has made it through the House and cleared the Judiciary Committee with bipartisan support, would stop platforms from \u201cself-preferencing\u201d their content. <\/p>\n<p>For instance, Amazon would no longer be able to promote its own content over third-party sellers on its site \u2014 a measure backers say would help smaller companies compete against Jeff Bezos\u2019 e-commerce giant.   <\/p>\n<p>While opponents of the bill in small business say the legislation could potentially reduce their internet traffic; supporters say there is no reason to believe the law would disadvantage small businesses in any way.<\/p>\n<p>Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) has said its \u201cthe first major bill on <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> competition to advance in the Senate since the dawn of the Internet.\u201d Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is also a co-sponsor.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople care about issues including censorship and disinformation \u2014 there are organic reasons people are upset with big tech,\u201d Ventry said. \u201cBut no one organically wants to defend Tim Cook.\u201d\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more News articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2022\/04\/27\/small-businesses-defend-google-amazon-in-odd-letters-to-editors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Small businesses defend Google, Amazon in odd letters to editors&#8221; As Capitol Hill seeks to rein in Big Tech, a slew of local business owners are slamming the proposed antitrust legislation in letters to the editors of local newspapers across the US \u2014 and they appear to be working off talking points that are strikingly&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":438171,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/antitrust_bill.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[128553,2758,5029,26293],"class_list":["post-438170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-4-27-22","tag-amazon","tag-apple","tag-google"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=438170"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/438170\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/438171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=438170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=438170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=438170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}