A California bill targeting Big Tech self-preferencing collapsed after a fierce lobbying campaign led by Apple and other tech giants. The BASED Act, introduced by Senator Scott Wiener, aimed to block companies with $1 trillion+ market value from prioritizing their own products in search results or app stores. Despite initial momentum, the measure faced a coordinated opposition effort, with groups like the California Chamber of Commerce and Chamber of Progress arguing it would harm user experience and security.

The bill’s defeat highlights the power of corporate lobbying in shaping tech regulation.