YouTube is closing Roku. The fight between these companies is now being highlighted by members of Congress who are trying to get their Big Tech antitrust legislation passed.

After the a months-long fightRoku and YouTube’s parent company GoogleGoogle said Thursday that Roku customers will not be allowed to download YouTube or YouTube TV apps starting December 9. Roku users who have YouTube TV and YouTube TV already installed on their devices will continue to be able access those apps in a normal way. This means that anyone buying a Roku new device after Dec. 9, will no longer be able install YouTube apps.

The latest clash between Big Tech and smaller tech companies trying to stay in business is this battle. Roku, along with many smaller tech companies claimed that Google was using its market dominance to force unfair terms onto a rival.

While the negotiations were underway, a Roku executive sent an email from Google to counter Google’s statement that it did not ask Roku for any special treatment in order to allow YouTube apps onto Roku.

Two of Congress’ most prominent members have already noticed Roku’s claims. They are trying to control Big Tech via antitrust legislation. On Thursday, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) sided with Roku.

They are fighting over a 2019 deal to enable YouTube TV on Roku. Roku stated that Google requested special access to Roku’s search data as a condition for YouTube TV being enabled on Roku. Roku stated that Google requested priority search results for YouTube video in Roku’s search function.

Roku stated that it had agreed to the terms but requested that Google do not request any further data. Roku claims that Google refused to commit to this, and both parties are now at a standstill. Roku will remove YouTube’s apps from its app store if neither company comes to an agreement prior to Dec. 9.

Google called Roku’s accusations “baseless” after Roku had published a blog entry Thursday morning on the impasse between the companies.

In a statement, a Google spokesperson stated in an interview that Roku had once again made unproductive and baseless assertions rather than trying to cooperate constructively with the company.

In the interim, new questions are being raised about Google’s prior statement, which denied it sought special access or changed the way that search works on Roku.

Google posted in April this year that the spat between the companies had spilled into the open. This assertion is false and baseless.

CNBC viewed a September 2019 email sent by a Google executive to Roku. It stated that Google requested this request.

Roku was sent an email by the Google executive. The email stated that “YouTube Place: A dedicated shelf to YT Search Results is essential.” Mariana De Felice from YouTube declined to comment but stated that partners such as Roku can rank YouTube search results “as they please.”

Roku has its own interests in keeping search data from Google.

Both companies are in direct competition for streaming video devices, such as Google’s Chromecast or Roku’s streaming device family. Roku uses search data in its software to improve its targeting of video ads. Roku shouldn’t share its search data with Google. FacebookThe overall market share in digital ad spend is held by,

Klobuchar, Cicilline and others were frustrated by Roku’s claim that Google demanded preferential treatment.

“For far too long, big tech platforms have used their power to prefer their products and services to those of thousands more small online businesses.” Klobuchar said in a statement Thursday

Cicilline tweeted Thursday that Google’s action was a “shakedown”.

The bills introduced by both lawmakers will ensure that there is a level playing field for all in an industry that has been dominated solely by a few big players. Cicilline is the chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee for antitrust. introduced a bipartisan package of bills in June. Klobuchar supported her Big Tech antitrust bills, which included one for Big Tech. loosen Google and Apple’s control over their app stores

Now, the battle between Roku & Google is more material for lawmakers to use in pushing their legislative agendas against Big Tech.

Klobuchar declared Thursday, “Roku claims that Google demands that YouTube content be preferred over other Roku search results providers highlights the need for new laws to protect dominant digital platforms’ power as gatekeepers.”