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Comment by jkarneges | Hacker News Reader

> the bill is perfect, except for the 100M user threshold to start demand compatibility, which I think should be lowered to 10M

I kinda like the high number, as it means the spirit is to prevent monopolies, which is one of the most compelling reasons for regulations to exist. Make the number too low, and it would invite criticism from people about regulations being overbearing. I don't know if that number is 100M, 10M, or 1M, but just something to be mindful about.

My sense is that if Facebook is legally forced to interop, then all other smaller/future players will voluntarily interop anyway.

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Different strokes for different folks as they say, but I don't think "preventing monopolies" has to be the only motivation of this bill. I think interopability (and as a consequence, greatly improved customer choice and competition) is a value in its own right.

I am not too sure you can have that cake AND eat it (historical datapoints suggest otherwise I think)

Please explain.

The anti-monopoly benefits of interoperability can be offset by the regulatory capture of forced interoperability if companies too small are subject to such rules, placing them at a disadvantage relative to largest players and increasing the likelihood that the status quo remains in place. That's the "Can't have your cake and eat it too" that's being referred to above I think—in other words, if you regulate the second-tier like the first-tier, the second-tier will never have a chance at becoming the first tier.

Slightly off topic, but you managed to clearly articulate what bothers me about a lot of well meaning regulation. GDPR in particular comes to mind - I was never worried about what some small time blogger was doing with my personal info, only (for example) Google and PayPal.

The number I think I'd like is something like 1/3rd or greater of a market. However that has the semantics issue of defining a market.

Instead I'd like to see the targets be an ANY OF (logical or):

A) Userbase of 25% or greater of the target demographic.

B) 33% or greater of the userbase files a request with (E.G. the FCC) for this service to be recognized as large enough to be under the requirements.

C) Any company making a 'sales revenue' (or other income side) of 500x the minimum wage, or 50x the 'net profit' (income after expences) could also be compelled by a regulatory body (court, FCC, FTC, whatever) without any other evidence.

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