California bid to curb Big Tech self-preferencing fails after Apple-backed lobbying blitz

California’s BASED Act, backed by Sen. Scott Wiener, aimed to stop dominant tech platforms from favoring their own products and restricting interoperability and data portability.

The bill cleared an early committee but was later defeated in a key privacy committee after a strong lobbying campaign from tech and business groups.

Apple and other major companies, along with groups like the California Chamber of Commerce and Chamber of Progress, opposed the measure.

The setback underscores how hard it is for states to curb Big Tech market power when industry pushes back quickly.