Apple CEO Tim Cook called House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this month to warn over 'rushed' antitrust bills that are circulating throughout the House, according to a new report.
Cook called Pelosi and other members of Congress to 'deliver a warning' that the antitrust bills were 'rushed,' would hurt innovation and hurt consumers by disrupting Apple's services, according to The New York Times, which first reported the news.
Two sources familiar with the call told the Times that Cook asked Pelosi to delay the process of considering the bills.
Pelosi reportedly pushed back against Cook's concerns, asking him to identify a specific policy objection.
Apple CEO Tim Cook called House Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier this month to warn over 'rushed' antitrust bills that are circulating throughout the House, according to a new report
Pelosi reportedly pushed back against Cook's concerns, asking him to identify a specific policy objection
But both parties are divided on how far to go. And Pelosi has been warned by opponents inside her own party that the proposals could have a damaging impact on the U.S. economy.
In a letter obtained by DailyMail.com, Timothy Powderly, Apple's Senior Director of Government Affairs, Americas, told the House Judiciary Committee that a number of provisions would create a race to the bottom for security and privacy.
'The App Store creates competition, and it is a place where all developers—no matter their size—can turn their passion and creativity into a thriving business,' Powderly wrote in the letter.
'The App Store offers customers access to nearly 2 million apps, and it supports more than 2.1 million jobs across all 50 states. We are concerned that many provisions of the recent package of antitrust reform legislation would create a race to the bottom for security and privacy, while also undermining innovation and competition.'
'Apple is concerned that current proposals would harm consumer privacy, device security, and innovation,' Powderly added.
'We urge the Committee not to approve the proposed legislation in its current form, and we look forward to engaging with the Committee going forward.'
The Times added that lobbyists and more than 12 think tanks and advocacy groups with funding from tech companies have called, emailed or visited Capitol Hill lawmakers and their staff expressing their deep concerns about the bills.
The proposals have attracted broad support across the political spectrum, from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, including Rep. Pramila Jayapal, to Trump loyalists, such as Rep. Matt Gaetz.
But both parties are split on the issue.
Members of the New Democrat Coalition - made up of moderate Democratic Representatives - wrote to their party leadership urging deeper scrutiny of the proposals.
'The scope and impact of these bills could have a tremendous impact on the products and services many American consumers currently enjoy and the competitiveness of our innovation economy,' wrote the members, who included Rep. Suzan DelBene, a former Microsoft executive, and Rep. Scott Peters.
'Notably, stakeholders and policy experts are raising concerns these proposals may weaken personal privacy protections, cybersecurity, and increase the spread of dangerous conspiracy theories and misinformation.'
Amazon's vice president of public policy, said that the company is still analyzing the various bills, but that they may have a 'significant negative effect' on consumers and small and medium-sized businesses
Others in the
