Big Tech’s Lobbying Muscle Douses California’s Antitrust Push

California’s Based Act, aimed at curbing platform self-preferencing in app stores and similar markets, was defeated after a massive lobbying blitz by Google, Apple, Amazon and other tech groups backed by the California Chamber of Commerce, underscoring the tech industry’s political clout in the state; the bill stalled in a key committee despite support from startups and consumer groups, with proponents hinting at possible revival.