Former national top security officials have warned that the U.S. breakup of big tech companies could open the door to a takeover by China.
Twelve former security officials – including Leon Panetta, former U.S. defense secretary and former CIA director – came together to write a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy to alert them of the security risk of breaking up big tech companies, according to Newsmax.
"America’s distinct advantage in technological innovation has helped maintain a military and intelligence edge as we confront China's aggressive ambitions to undermine U.S. influence and shape the global order," the officials wrote. "The Chinese Communist Party knows that to achieve this goal, China must become the world’s leading innovator."
The group lauded antitrust legislation for cracking down on anti-competitive practices by tech giants, but warned that targeting only American companies could lead to a risk in national security.
Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo), the subcommittee's top Republican on the House Judiciary's Antitrust Subcommittee, is among the lawmakers supporting the proposal to break up large tech companies.
"Let’s be clear: Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google are hurting U.S. competition by engaging in anti-competitive practices. Our bills will create competition," a Buck spokesperson told Axios, according to Newsmax.