Nicole Chang is a journalist based in Paris, France. She has more than 5 years’ worth of professional journalism experience, and has lived in Singapore, London and Shanghai. She is a native English speaker, and also knows Mandarin and French.

EU’s Digital Markets Act comes into force: What is it, and what does it mean for Big Tech?

02 Nov 2022  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Big Tech Regulation

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) has come into force in the European Union, targeting unfair practices by digital 'gatekeepers' such as Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft. The DMA aims to foster innovation and competition, offering consumers more choice and preventing large platforms from favoring their own services. It introduces a list of obligations, including bans on certain advertising practices and pre-installed software, and requires interoperability for messaging services. Companies will be designated as gatekeepers based on specific criteria and will have until May 2, 2023, to comply. Violations can result in fines up to 20% of worldwide turnover for repeat offenders. Europe's antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager emphasized the profound change the DMA will bring to the digital market, ensuring fair competition. Tech giants have expressed concerns about the DMA's impact on innovation and privacy.

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Big Tech Regulation Digital Markets Act

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Clothilde Goujard is a journalist based in Amman, Jordan. 

She was previously a senior tech policy reporter with POLITICO in Brussels, Belgium. 

She has also freelanced in Canada as a video journalist for Agence France-Presse (AFP) and CBC. Her work on Canadian politics, migration and the ...

Europe’s online content law has teeth — now it has to bite

25 Aug 2023  |  www.politico.eu  |  English  |  Big Tech Regulation

The European Union is set to enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA), aiming to regulate Big Tech companies like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram to curb toxic content and increase transparency. The DSA mandates swift removal of illegal content, prohibits the use of sensitive data for personalized ads, and requires companies to disclose operational information. The European Commission, led by Thierry Breton, will oversee enforcement, backed by the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency and national regulators. Despite the potential for significant fines, challenges include resource constraints and legal battles from companies like Amazon and Zalando. The DSA's success hinges on effective enforcement and cooperation among EU member states.

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Big Tech Regulation Digital Services Act Online Safety

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Wooyoung Lee is a Seoul-based freelance journalist, covering social, political, and cultural issues with a decade of experience in reporting Korea-related stories for print and online.

Big Tech challenges pave way for unprecedented UK regulatory coordination

05 Oct 2023  |  mlexmarketinsight.com  |  English  |  Big Tech

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Ofcom, and the Information Commissioner’s Office are collaborating to establish a new pro-competition regulatory regime targeting Big Tech companies like Google and Facebook. This initiative follows the CMA's market study highlighting the dominance of these companies in the UK's digital advertising market. The Digital Markets Taskforce and the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum will guide the development of this regime, aiming to enhance competition and innovation while coordinating with international regulatory efforts. The government will ultimately decide on the implementation of these recommendations.

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Regulation Big Tech Digital Markets

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Sarah Manavis is a journalist at the New Statesman based in London, United Kingdom.

Are governments finally pushing back against Big Tech?

01 Nov 2023  |  www.newstatesman.com  |  English  |  Government Regulation

US states have filed unprecedented lawsuits against Meta, accusing it of exploiting young users and violating privacy laws. These lawsuits mark a significant shift in government action against Big Tech, aiming to enforce stricter regulations and protect children from harmful content. The Biden administration and the Federal Trade Commission are also investigating Meta's practices, signaling a broader governmental pushback against social media giants.

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Big Tech Government Regulation Social Media

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Laís Martins is a journalist based in São Paulo, Brazil.

Who makes up the parliamentary front aligned with Big Tech

25 May 2023  |  nucleo.jor.br  |  Portuguese  |  Technology Regulation

On May 16, 2023, Deputy Lafayette de Andrada presented a bill (PL 2582/2023) as an alternative to the controversial PL 2630/2020, which aims to regulate digital platforms but faces strong opposition in the Brazilian Congress. The new bill is seen as more lenient towards Big Tech, reflecting the interests of the Frente Digital, a parliamentary group closely linked to major technology companies. The Frente Digital, created in 2019, includes members from various political parties and is supported by the Instituto Cidadania Digital, which has ties to tech industry associations. The article highlights the potential conflicts of interest and lobbying activities of the Frente Digital and its associated organizations.

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Big Tech Technology Regulation Politics

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British foreign correspondent, published by the Guardian, the Financial Times, Reuters and Vice. Specialise in current affairs, human rights, humanitarian issues, development and sustainable business.

Why the presence of a former Meta lobbyist in the European Parliament is controversial

18 Nov 2024  |  www.wired.it  |  Italian  |  Big Tech Regulation

Aura Salla, a former Meta lobbyist, has become a member of the European Parliament, sparking controversy due to her previous role in influencing EU tech regulations. Critics, including Green MEP Alexandra Geese, question whether Salla will prioritize Meta's interests over those of the electorate. Salla, part of the center-right European People's Party, argues her background makes her well-suited to shape EU tech rules, advocating for less restrictive regulations to foster innovation. Concerns persist about her alignment with Meta's agenda, as highlighted by Bram Vranken of Corporate Observatory Europe. Salla emphasizes the need for stable investment environments and suggests existing regulations should be enforced rather than introducing new ones.

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Big Tech Regulation European Parliament Lobbying

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Kelvin Ng is a journalist based in Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Will Big Tech dominate AI? Part 3

11 Jun 2024  |  Lexology  |  English  |  Big Tech

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has expressed concerns about the AI foundation models (FMs) market, highlighting risks of vertical integration and market power concentration among major tech firms like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Nvidia. The CMA's updated report emphasizes the potential for negative market outcomes due to partnerships and investments that could restrict competition. Despite these concerns, the AI sector remains dynamic, with a significant increase in the number of FMs, including open-source models, which promote competition and innovation. The article discusses the evolving landscape of AI, noting the role of smaller, specialized models and the potential for open-source models to challenge proprietary systems. The CMA's concerns are shared by other antitrust authorities, but the article suggests that AI competition may not follow the same patterns as previous technology markets.

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Market Regulation Big Tech AI Competition

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Faustine Ngila is Kenya's renowned technology journalist based in Nairobi.
He has reported widely on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, covering emerging technologies and innovations in Kenya and Africa.
He writes for the Daily Nation, Business Daily, Taifa Leo and The East African. He is one of a ...

Amazon is denying that it is a 'very large online platform'

12 Jul 2023  |  qz.com  |  English  |  EU Regulations

Amazon has filed a lawsuit in the European General Court, disputing its classification as a 'very large online platform' (VLOP) under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), which subjects VLOPs to stricter content rules and data sharing requirements. Amazon argues that most of its profits are from North America and that it is not the largest retailer in any EU country. The DSA, effective August 25, imposes standards to combat hate speech, disinformation, and online counterfeits, with severe penalties for noncompliance. Amazon is the first US company to challenge the DSA, among others like Meta and Google. Zalando, a German retailer, has also contested its VLOP designation.

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Big Tech EU Regulations Digital Services Act E-commerce

Marseille-based journalist specialized in print and digital features (The New York Times, The Washington Post, BBC, Euronews) covering a range of topics, from human rights to travel. Fluent in French.

Aiming to make Big Tech cough up for content, France levies fines — and backs its media

01 Oct 2023  |  www.courthousenews.com  |  English  |  Big Tech

France has fined Google approximately $272 million for failing to honor its commitment to pay media outlets for their content, highlighting the country's proactive stance on protecting journalism and regulating Big Tech. The French Competition Authority's innovative legal approach underscores the importance of high-quality journalism and raises broader questions about digital regulation in the EU and the U.S. Experts note that while France's measures symbolize a commitment to quality reporting, their real-life impact remains uncertain. The article also discusses similar regulatory efforts in Germany and the U.K., and the broader issue of digital sovereignty in the EU.

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Regulation Big Tech Media

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RISHI RAJ is a journalist based in New Delhi, India. A drop out student BJMC 2ND YEAR. very inspire to photojournalism.

Are monopolies and duopolies bad?

12 Aug 2024  |  Financialexpress  |  English  |  Big Tech Regulation

The article explores the complexities of monopolies and duopolies, particularly in the context of big tech companies like Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon. It discusses recent legal actions against these firms in the US and India, highlighting the tension between innovation-driven market dominance and regulatory concerns. The text differentiates between state-induced monopolies, which are seen as harmful, and those arising from competition and innovation, which can benefit consumers. It argues for balanced regulation that addresses specific issues without stifling innovation, citing economist Friedrich Hayek's views on market efficiency and consumer impact.

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Big Tech Regulation Monopolies Duopolies

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I am a freelance writer and journalist covering climate change and its myriad facets. Over the years, I have traveled to five continents to chronicle how rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are posing an outright existential threat to our societies, calling mankind to an unprecedented ...

What the EU’s copyright overhaul means — and what might change for big tech

01 Apr 2019  |  www.niemanlab.org  |  English  |  Big Tech Regulation

The EU has passed a new Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market, marking the first major update to copyright rules in nearly two decades. The reform aims to ensure fair compensation for copyright holders when their work appears online, but has faced criticism for potentially restricting free speech and imposing burdens on platforms like Google and Facebook. Key provisions include the 'link tax' and 'upload filter,' which have sparked controversy and debate. The directive now moves to individual EU member states for implementation, with ongoing discussions about its impact on internet freedom and digital rights.

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Big Tech Regulation EU Copyright Reform Digital Rights

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Mark Scott is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

Ireland’s social media enforcer prepares for an uncertain battle

10 Oct 2023  |  www.politico.eu  |  English  |  Social Media Regulation

Jeremy Godfrey, executive chairman of Ireland's Coimisiún na Meán, is preparing to enforce the EU's Digital Services Act, which aims to regulate social media platforms like Google and TikTok. The Irish regulator, which will gain extended powers in February, is still determining the specifics of its role in collaboration with the European Commission. The agency is expanding its staff to meet these new responsibilities, despite criticism that Ireland is too close to U.S. tech giants. The Media Commission's efforts are part of a broader EU initiative to manage online content and prevent the spread of hate speech and disinformation.

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Big Tech Social Media Regulation Digital Services Act

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I am currently working as a journalist for the belgian newspaper La Libre Belgique, for the International Section. Born in Bucharest in 1991, I have been living in Belgium since I was 10 years old. Experiencing two cultures has been an amazing opportunity, that sparked my interest in international ...

EU law forcing Big Tech to regulate content comes into force

25 Aug 2023  |  www.lemonde.fr  |  English  |  Digital Regulation

The Digital Services Act (DSA) officially comes into effect, requiring 19 major tech platforms to comply with new EU regulations aimed at better content regulation. Companies like Amazon and Zalando are challenging their inclusion in court. The legislation mandates platforms to make terms understandable, have a legal presence in Europe, and assess systemic risks to democracy and fundamental rights. Smaller platforms will follow suit in February 2024. The EU aims to restore trust and security in the digital space, with other regions likely to adopt similar measures.

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Big Tech Digital Regulation European Union

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Sophia Waterfield is a journalist based in York, United Kingdom.

UK Digital Markets Bill: Will regulators be able to rein in Big Tech?

04 Oct 2023  |  techmonitor.ai  |  English  |  Big Tech Regulation

The UK's Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill aims to empower regulators to control Big Tech companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Amazon. The bill, debated in the House of Commons, seeks to enhance the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) powers to address market dominance and ensure fair competition. Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake emphasized the need for regulatory intervention in cases of market failure. The bill introduces the Digital Markets Unit to oversee a pro-competition regime and designate firms with strategic market status. While the opposition supports the bill, they criticize delays and call for clarity and accountability. Concerns were raised about the CMA's ability to handle AI's impact on digital markets and the interoperability of digital platforms. The bill will proceed to the public bill committee stage.

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Big Tech Regulation Digital Markets Bill Competition Law

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Emma Woollacott is a journalist based in Oxford, United Kingdom, writing in fields from science and tech to business and politics, freelance since 1992. I've written for most British broadsheet national newspapers, including the Times, Daily Telegraph, Financial Times and Guardian, as well as many ...

U.K. Lays Out Plans For Big Tech Digital Markets Regime

11 Jan 2024  |  Forbes  |  English  |  Big Tech Regulation

The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has outlined its plans for a new digital markets competition regime aimed at preventing large tech companies from gaining unfair competitive advantages. The proposed Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill will apply to firms with Strategic Market Status, requiring them to support competitors' products and ensure fair trading practices. The CMA plans to evaluate several companies for SMS status and impose conduct requirements if necessary. The bill is expected to become law by the end of the year, with detailed guidance to follow. Recent regulatory actions by the CMA include commitments from Amazon and Meta to prevent abuse of their market positions.

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Big Tech Regulation Digital Markets Competition Law

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