Biden to appoint Big Tech critic to DOJ antitrust role

President Biden plans to appoint lawyer Jonathan Kanter as the head of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) antitrust division, the White House announced Tuesday, another sign of the administration’s intention to take on Big Tech.

Kanter has been a favorite pick of progressive organizations pushing for the DOJ and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to do more to crack down on anti-competitive conduct, especially in the tech industry.

Kanter, who started his own law firm last year, has represented companies seeking to push antitrust enforcers into suing Google. If confirmed he would hold the position of assistant attorney general for the antitrust division.

Kanter would join FTC chair Lina Khan and White House economic adviser Tim Wu in a growing group of outspoken Big Tech critics in the Biden administration.