A committee of American lawmakers today will question the bosses of four of America’s largest technology companies over the extraordinary power and influence that they wield over our lives (Simon Duke writes). Satya Nadella, the boss of Microsoft, won’t be on the video call.
His omission reflects how the tide has turned in the world of antitrust. Microsoft has shaken off its monopolist tag. Instead, Google and Facebook have become the whipping boys for competition watchdogs the world over.
Mr Nadella’s absence is striking. After the stasis of the Steve Ballmer years, Mr Nadella, 52, has reinvigorated Microsoft. With a market value of $1.5 trillion it vies with Apple for the mantle of America’s largest listed company. Although Microsoft does not exercise as much power
