The FTC will investigate the findings made by Apple and other companies in its anti-union policy

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the agency responsible for promoting it consumer rights and the abolition and ban of practices that threaten free competition In the United States, it has announced that it will begin an investigation into the acquisition of assets made by major technology companies. The center has sent requests to Apple, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, Google and Alphabet (Google's parent) to report all of their past purchases.

In the United States companies are required report acquisitions to other companies as long as the purchase price exceeds $ 94 million

(2020). Now the FTC is asking for details of what their small acquisitions are.

The FTC is asking for more details

According to the FTC, it is asking companies for information and documentation about "Terms, size, format and purpose of activities" occurring between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019. The agency will use this information to find out if large technology companies are doing non-compete by purchasing from future competitors in small enough quantities to get the attention of government agencies.

The FTC places you on the following conditions:

Digital technology companies are a huge part of our daily economy and lives. The plan will allow the Commission to take a closer look at the findings of this important sector, as well check whether federal agencies receive sufficient notice of payment that could harm competition. This will help us to continue to keep technology markets open and competitive for the benefit of consumers.

Apple, as well as other technology companies, must also provide documentation on procurement strategies, voting, directors' agreements, third-party employment agreements and non-compete clauses. Details on product development and pricing will also be requested after acquisition, including whether the purchased goods are consolidated and how the data received is treated.

In recent months, and depending on the information we have, Apple bought it Xnor.ai, Spectral Edge and IKinema, although the scope of the investigation includes the discovery of Beats in 2014.