Silicon Valley: Congressional antitrust probe may threaten US economic engine

The House Judiciary Committee is opening a broad investigation into competition in Silicon Valley, where firms that American consumers use on a daily, and sometimes hourly, basis have faced growing complaints of muscling out competitors.

The probe will include a series of hearings called by the Judiciary Committee’s antitrust panel, led by Rep. David Cicilline, D-R.I., as well as information requests to companies and others. Coming as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle scrutinize companies from Facebook to Google and Amazon, it risks “harmful unintended consequences” to a vital engine of the U.S. economy if not handled properly, industry leaders warn.