Elise Phillips
@elisephillips.bsky.social
Lawyer. Competition, regulatory reform and digital platforms.
Pinned
Beyond Remedies: Why the U.S. v. Google Decision Underscores the Need for a Digital Regulator
The ruling is a step in the right direction to improve competition in the search and text advertising markets — but there is still more work to be done.
publicknowledge.org
The underwhelming Google search remedies decision makes me recall a post I wrote on what happens after remedies: publicknowledge.org/beyond-remed.... Mehta's decision is a reminder that courts are not regulators. If we want industry-wide change, we need sector-specific regulation.
A fantastic display of speaking truth to power by @publicknowledge.bsky.social Senior VP, Harold Feld @haroldfeld.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=bshN...
Part II of Shut Your App: How Uncle Sam Jawboned Big Tech Into Silencing Americans
YouTube video by CommerceRepublicans
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:18 PM
A fantastic display of speaking truth to power by @publicknowledge.bsky.social Senior VP, Harold Feld @haroldfeld.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=bshN...
Reposted by Elise Phillips
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
PSA: we're aware that Signal is down for some people. This appears to be related to a major AWS outage. Stand by.
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
Reposted by Elise Phillips
Correct Judge Mehta didn't order Google breakup last week but late Friday night we saw DOJ is full speed ahead in its other remedies trial in 16 days and posted its PFJ (Proposed Final Remedies) now 60+ pages of brilliant detail. Let me walk you through key terms. /1
September 8, 2025 at 11:31 AM
Correct Judge Mehta didn't order Google breakup last week but late Friday night we saw DOJ is full speed ahead in its other remedies trial in 16 days and posted its PFJ (Proposed Final Remedies) now 60+ pages of brilliant detail. Let me walk you through key terms. /1
Reposted by Elise Phillips
Today, @publicknowledge.bsky.social filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in Cox v. Sony, arguing that broadband providers should not be liable for continuing to provide service to users, & should not be forced to disconnect their customers based on sole accusations of copyright infringement.
September 5, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Today, @publicknowledge.bsky.social filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in Cox v. Sony, arguing that broadband providers should not be liable for continuing to provide service to users, & should not be forced to disconnect their customers based on sole accusations of copyright infringement.
Annnnd we knew it was coming but it still frustrates: the FTC is dropping its appeal in the non compete rule litigation. Cmmr Slaughter’s statement: www.ftc.gov/system/files...
www.ftc.gov
September 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Annnnd we knew it was coming but it still frustrates: the FTC is dropping its appeal in the non compete rule litigation. Cmmr Slaughter’s statement: www.ftc.gov/system/files...
Agreed. “Unreasonable” is framing that should cause some concern. It cuts against the underlying principle behind the ban.
This presumes there is a good reason to impose a noncompete--not negotiated and costly for the employee to eliminate--upon the average American worker.
It's that fallacy that leads to backing away from a blanket ban.
It's that fallacy that leads to backing away from a blanket ban.
September 5, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Agreed. “Unreasonable” is framing that should cause some concern. It cuts against the underlying principle behind the ban.
The Google search remedies decision is a stunning failure to hold Big Tech accountable. Read more on why, and what might come next here:
Read the latest from @publicknowledge.bsky.social Policy Counsel @elisephillips.bsky.social on what the courts got wrong with the remedies decision — and what we can do next:
publicknowledge.org/google-searc...
publicknowledge.org/google-searc...
Google Search Remedies: A Missed Opportunity for Tech Accountability
Judge Mehta released long-awaited decision on remedies in the Google antitrust trial — but the ruling falls short of addressing systemic harms.
publicknowledge.org
September 5, 2025 at 4:32 PM
The Google search remedies decision is a stunning failure to hold Big Tech accountable. Read more on why, and what might come next here:
www.techpolicy.press/the-limits-o... "In the end, the civil society advocacy group Public Knowledge came closest to the real message of the judge’s decision in the search case, saying that “the courts cannot be the end-all, be-all of antitrust." Why thank you very much!
The Limits of Antitrust Remedies in the Google Search Case | TechPolicy.Press
The decision revealed the fundamental limitation of antitrust as a way to structure markets in the public interest, writes Mark MacCarthy.
www.techpolicy.press
September 4, 2025 at 10:43 PM
www.techpolicy.press/the-limits-o... "In the end, the civil society advocacy group Public Knowledge came closest to the real message of the judge’s decision in the search case, saying that “the courts cannot be the end-all, be-all of antitrust." Why thank you very much!
Watching this hearing, "Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation" in House Judiciary. Rep Fitzgerald claiming that the EU's DMA will cost Americans $1 billion dollars every year and states "it's not just a number on a page." But WHERE is that number coming from??
September 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Watching this hearing, "Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation" in House Judiciary. Rep Fitzgerald claiming that the EU's DMA will cost Americans $1 billion dollars every year and states "it's not just a number on a page." But WHERE is that number coming from??
Frankly I'm disappointed that two years of my life led to this outcome, but I'm also perplexed. I'll dive deeper into the decision in a blog later this week. publicknowledge.org/public-knowl...
Public Knowledge Denounces U.S. v. Google Search Remedies Decision Avoiding Breakup
Public Knowledge promotes freedom of expression, an open internet, and access to affordable communications tools and creative works. We work to shape policy.
publicknowledge.org
September 3, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Frankly I'm disappointed that two years of my life led to this outcome, but I'm also perplexed. I'll dive deeper into the decision in a blog later this week. publicknowledge.org/public-knowl...
Reposted by Elise Phillips
Is it illegal to not buy ads on X? @publicknowledge.bsky.social Policy Director @lisahmacpherson.bsky.social and Policy Counsel @elisephillips.bsky.social weigh in with @arstechnica.com:
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
Is it illegal to not buy ads on X? Experts explain the FTC’s bizarre ad fight.
Here’s the “least silly way” to wrap your head around the FTC’s war over X ads.
arstechnica.com
August 26, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Is it illegal to not buy ads on X? @publicknowledge.bsky.social Policy Director @lisahmacpherson.bsky.social and Policy Counsel @elisephillips.bsky.social weigh in with @arstechnica.com:
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
The kids aren't alright and it's time we do something about it. Read our latest White Paper as we dive into the heated debate on child safety online, and offer several recommendations to protect child users while preserving their rights to learn, explore, and connect. publicknowledge.org/childsafety
The Kids Aren't Alright Online: How To Build a Safer, Better Internet for Everyone
This paper discusses the need for policymaking that prioritizes making the internet safer and privacy-protective for everyone and outlines how to get there.
publicknowledge.org
August 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The kids aren't alright and it's time we do something about it. Read our latest White Paper as we dive into the heated debate on child safety online, and offer several recommendations to protect child users while preserving their rights to learn, explore, and connect. publicknowledge.org/childsafety
Reposted by Elise Phillips
While we wait on several antitrust cases against Google, Meta, Amazon, and Apple to survive this administration, here's a story I wasn't expecting to see, by @capitolforum.bsky.social: Dozens of Federal Judges Attended Antitrust Seminars Hosted by Big Tech-Funded Group (with Joshua Wright involved).
August 13, 2025 at 3:04 PM
While we wait on several antitrust cases against Google, Meta, Amazon, and Apple to survive this administration, here's a story I wasn't expecting to see, by @capitolforum.bsky.social: Dozens of Federal Judges Attended Antitrust Seminars Hosted by Big Tech-Funded Group (with Joshua Wright involved).
Well, yes. Here's a fair, well researched article I wanted to share: www.promarket.org/2025/08/13/d...
Do Firms Use Connections to the President To Avoid Antitrust Scrutiny? - ProMarket
In new research, Claire Liu and Jared Stanfield examine how relationships between corporate leaders and the United States president enable firms to capture regulation and avoid antitrust scrutiny.
www.promarket.org
August 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Well, yes. Here's a fair, well researched article I wanted to share: www.promarket.org/2025/08/13/d...
Reposted by Elise Phillips
The upcoming decision in the FTC's antitrust lawsuit against Meta over its acquisitions of WhatsApp & Instagram is poised to send shockwaves through the Big Tech industry, setting the tone for future litigation. But what exactly is all at stake, and what could come next?
August 8, 2025 at 5:26 PM
The upcoming decision in the FTC's antitrust lawsuit against Meta over its acquisitions of WhatsApp & Instagram is poised to send shockwaves through the Big Tech industry, setting the tone for future litigation. But what exactly is all at stake, and what could come next?
I am thrilled to see that competitive app markets are still a priority in Congress. Many thanks to Reps. Cammack and Trahan for leading the charge in the House on this with the App Store Freedom Act. You can read information on the bill, along with my quote here: trahan.house.gov/news/documen...
Trahan Co-Leads New Bill to Open App Market, Protect Consumer Choice
trahan.house.gov
August 5, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I am thrilled to see that competitive app markets are still a priority in Congress. Many thanks to Reps. Cammack and Trahan for leading the charge in the House on this with the App Store Freedom Act. You can read information on the bill, along with my quote here: trahan.house.gov/news/documen...
I can’t articulate how terrible this take is.
Just saw the video and had to check to see if it had been written up and…yeah it has.
Your Next Braider Might Be An AI Robot -- And Here's Why Black Women Ain't Mad About It! | The Root
Tired of the long hours in the salon? Perhaps an AI robot may be the solution.
www.theroot.com
July 31, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I can’t articulate how terrible this take is.
This Reddit AMA by former CFPB Chair Rohit Chopra is really really good: www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comme...
From the IAmA community on Reddit: I ran the federal agency that was cracking down on junk fees – until I was fired. I’m Rohit Chopra, former head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. AMA.
Explore this post and more from the IAmA community
www.reddit.com
July 31, 2025 at 4:04 PM
This Reddit AMA by former CFPB Chair Rohit Chopra is really really good: www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comme...
Reposted by Elise Phillips
🚨 The FTC is holding a workshop targeting transgender youth and their families on July 9. This Thursday, we’re answering with facts.
Join us at 9 AM E.T. for a live-streamed panel with privacy experts, doctors, parents of transgender youth, & former FTC officials 👇
youtube.com/live/RqKbnnH...
Join us at 9 AM E.T. for a live-streamed panel with privacy experts, doctors, parents of transgender youth, & former FTC officials 👇
youtube.com/live/RqKbnnH...
July 8, 2025 at 5:37 PM
🚨 The FTC is holding a workshop targeting transgender youth and their families on July 9. This Thursday, we’re answering with facts.
Join us at 9 AM E.T. for a live-streamed panel with privacy experts, doctors, parents of transgender youth, & former FTC officials 👇
youtube.com/live/RqKbnnH...
Join us at 9 AM E.T. for a live-streamed panel with privacy experts, doctors, parents of transgender youth, & former FTC officials 👇
youtube.com/live/RqKbnnH...
Reposted by Elise Phillips
Do you have opinions about tech policy and AI? Do you enjoy yelling at Congress? Want to get paid to combine those two things? Come work with us!
Government Affairs Policy Counsel/Advocate - Public Knowledge - Career Page
Apply to Government Affairs Policy Counsel/Advocate at Public Knowledge in Washington, DC.
publicknowledge.applytojob.com
July 7, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Do you have opinions about tech policy and AI? Do you enjoy yelling at Congress? Want to get paid to combine those two things? Come work with us!
Reposted by Elise Phillips
As predicted, the FTC issued a consent order requiring ad agencies not “boycott” online publishers. But it ignores far more likely impacts of the merger on competition. My @publicknowledge.bsky.social colleague @elisephillips.bsky.social and I break it down.
publicknowledge.org/update-the-f...
publicknowledge.org/update-the-f...
June 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
As predicted, the FTC issued a consent order requiring ad agencies not “boycott” online publishers. But it ignores far more likely impacts of the merger on competition. My @publicknowledge.bsky.social colleague @elisephillips.bsky.social and I break it down.
publicknowledge.org/update-the-f...
publicknowledge.org/update-the-f...
Reposted by Elise Phillips
Thanks to @amyklobuchar.com, Marsha Blackburn, & @blumenthal.senate.gov for reintroducing the Open App Markets Act to reduce gatekeeper power and realize the promise of true competition in the app economy. 🎉 Great step toward market fairness! publicknowledge.org/public-knowl...
Public Knowledge Applauds Bill To Open Up App Stores
Public Knowledge promotes freedom of expression, an open internet, and access to affordable communications tools and creative works. We work to shape policy.
publicknowledge.org
June 26, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Thanks to @amyklobuchar.com, Marsha Blackburn, & @blumenthal.senate.gov for reintroducing the Open App Markets Act to reduce gatekeeper power and realize the promise of true competition in the app economy. 🎉 Great step toward market fairness! publicknowledge.org/public-knowl...
Reposted by Elise Phillips
Late last week, news outlets reported that the FTC may hinge the approval of a merger between ad agencies Interpublic and Omnicom on forcing the new, merged company to not "boycott" online platforms — a requirement that is not only misleading, but unconstitutional as well.
June 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Late last week, news outlets reported that the FTC may hinge the approval of a merger between ad agencies Interpublic and Omnicom on forcing the new, merged company to not "boycott" online platforms — a requirement that is not only misleading, but unconstitutional as well.
Big Tech keeps getting bigger, and the time has come to think beyond antitrust. Public Knowledge's new paper delves into expert recommendations for creating a digital regulator – and a brighter digital future for all. Read here: publicknowledge.org/policy/build...
Building the Digital Platform Commission: How To Design a Regulator To Rein in Big Tech
This paper discusses the need for a sector-specific digital regulator while also outlining how to design one to effectively rein in Big Tech.
publicknowledge.org
April 23, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Big Tech keeps getting bigger, and the time has come to think beyond antitrust. Public Knowledge's new paper delves into expert recommendations for creating a digital regulator – and a brighter digital future for all. Read here: publicknowledge.org/policy/build...
We're hosting our third annual spring happy hour, The People's Party, next week! Please come! Information here: publicknowledge.org/the-peoples-...
The People's Party | April 3
Public Knowledge promotes freedom of expression, an open internet, and access to affordable communications tools and creative works. We work to shape policy.
publicknowledge.org
March 27, 2025 at 7:14 PM
We're hosting our third annual spring happy hour, The People's Party, next week! Please come! Information here: publicknowledge.org/the-peoples-...