Tech Titans or Tyrants: Should the U.S. Government Break Up Big Tech?

Has Big Tech become too powerful? Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft shape how we shop, communicate, and consume information. But has their dominance gone too far? Advocates argue these firms are monopolies that harm competition, exploit consumer data, and wield disproportionate influence over public discourse. Structural reforms would restore fairness and innovation. But critics warn that breakups could damage user experience, slow innovation, and disrupt integrated ecosystems people rely on. Now we debate: Should the U.S. Government Break Up Big Tech?

Arguing Yes:  

Bharat Ramamurti, Founder of The Bully Pulpit; Former Deputy Director of the National Economic Council  

Matt Stoller, Director of Research at the American Economic Liberties Project  

 

Arguing No:  

Geoffrey A. Manne, President and Founder of the International Center for Law & Economics 

Jennifer Huddleston, Senior Fellow in Technology Policy at the Cato Institute 

 

Emmy award-winning journalist John Donvan moderates 

 

This debate was produced in partnership with the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, as part of The Hopkins Forum series. It was recorded in front of a live audience on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center.

Visit OpentoDebate.org to watch more insightful debates.  

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed on our curated weekly debates, dynamic live events, and educational initiatives. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices