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tiffanyhtoday at 4:36 PM6 repliesview on HN

Dumb question: Can a US company even refuse service to a US Federal Government agency?


Replies

hahajktoday at 4:46 PM

The government is bound by acquisition processes for these large contracts: they put out RFPs and companies compete for the contract. All Google has to do is not bid for the next contract.

NewJazztoday at 4:39 PM

Yes.

They could be nationalized in times of war, but that hasn't happened since WW2 I think.

The antitrust case and other regulatory arm twisting is more to worry about.

SilverElfintoday at 4:43 PM

Yes they absolutely can. Providing services to the government is strictly a choice made by the business.

OutOfHeretoday at 6:45 PM

There is an exception that can be made by the government for wartime, but otherwise, yes.

comboytoday at 4:42 PM

I think it's kind of past the point of wondering what somebody can and cannot do according to the law? There used to be the constitution and stuff.

wizzwizz4today at 4:44 PM

Pretty sure the 13th Amendment guarantees this, in theory. (Corporations aren't natural persons, but forcing a corporation to provide a service boils down to forcing people to provide a service.)

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