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Tech Giants Face Scrutiny on Antitrust, Content, and Resource Use
Washington, D.C. – Several major technology companies, including Netflix, Google, and X (formerly Twitter), faced increased scrutiny from U.S. and European authorities this week, addressing concerns ranging from antitrust issues to content moderation and resource management.
Netflix was hauled before Congress on Tuesday, February 4, 2026, with Republican senators accusing the streaming giant of producing excessively "woke" content, according to The Verge. During a Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee hearing on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos addressed concerns that a potential merger with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) would lead to higher prices for consumers. Sarandos suggested the merger could have the opposite effect, Ars Technica reported, though he acknowledged users could cancel their service if they found it too expensive. The hearing examined the "Competitive Impact of the Proposed Netflix-Warner Brothers Transaction," according to Ars Technica.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is continuing its legal battle with Google over its search monopoly. On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the DOJ filed a cross-appeal in the antitrust case against Google, following Google's own appeal filed last month, Stevie Bonifield of The Verge reported. The DOJ Antitrust Division announced the cross-appeal in a post on X.
In Europe, X's Paris office was raided by French law enforcement authorities, and Elon Musk was summoned for questioning as part of an investigation into illegal content, Ars Technica reported. The year-long probe was recently expanded because the Grok chatbot was allegedly disseminating Holocaust-denial claims and sexually explicit deepfakes. Europol is assisting French authorities in the investigation, which concerns a range of suspected criminal offenses linked to the platform's functioning and use, including the dissemination of illegal content and other forms of online criminal activity, according to Ars Technica.
Beyond content and competition, the increasing demand for metals needed for technology was also highlighted. MIT Technology Review reported that the demand for nickel, copper, and rare earth elements is rapidly increasing due to the growth of data centers, electric cars, and renewable energy projects. The article noted that producing these metals is becoming harder and more expensive as miners have already exploited the best resources. The article highlighted the potential of biotechnology to extract more metal from aging mines, using the example of the Eagle Mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where nickel concentrations are falling.
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