To date, Big Tech has not been having a great 2019. It’s now commonly acknowledged that too few of these companies have too much influence and power, and now governments are beginning to discuss how they can either crack down on the tech giants, or how they can be broken apart entirely, This week is no exception, as lawmakers are going to be questioning both Facebook and Google about how they may be fueling the rise of white nationalism in the United States.
Regulating massive technology companies isn’t going to be an easy job, but some governments are already making inroads. Needless to say, the companies threatened with fines and regulation are not happy.
- How France’s new digital minister plans to regulate tech [TechCrunch] ” On this topic, Cédric O has a subtle stance that involves cooperation between European countries, a clear regulatory framework and a new type of regulator. He doesn’t necessarily want to break them up. “
- The Week in Tech: Facebook Is Desperate to Shape Tech Regulation. Should It? [The New York Times] “So who’s right? Mr. Zuckerberg, at least when he says regulatory intervention is inevitable. There’s strong bipartisan support for such regulation. As for where a line should be drawn, that’s harder to say. “
- UK to tech execs: Clean up your platforms or face ‘substantial’ fines [CNN] “The penalties were set out Monday in a government position paper that says the United Kingdom will make internet companies legally responsible for unlawful content and material that is damaging to individuals or the country. “
- Tech companies warn U.K. to consider free speech as it proposes fines for harmful content [The Washington Post] ” Some categories of content the proposal targets in its white paper — such as terrorist activity and child exploitation– are clear cut under the law. But others, such as disinformation and cyberbullying, are far murkier. So tech companies are calling on policymakers to provide clearer legal definitions for content that must be removed, before imposing any kind of rule that could impact free speech. “
From the Ohio Web Library:
- Big tech regulation must learn from history, Microsoft urges ( Paul Smith. (2019, April 2). Big tech regulation must learn from history, Microsoft urges. Australian Financial Review, p. 19. )
- Trump cited my Google study. But I oppose regulation ( Paula Bolyard. (8AD 2018). Trump cited my Google study. But I oppose regulation. Washington Post, The.)
- Mark Zuckerberg Survived Congress. Now Facebook Has to Survive the FTC ( Steinmetz, K. (2018). Mark Zuckerberg Survived Congress. Now Facebook Has to Survive the FTC. Time.Com, )
